Why do Chinese people yearn to be Taoists?
paulpeng
Chinese people's lives are often secular rather than religious. It is common to see a temple enshrining Buddha, the Jade Emperor, and the God of Wealth at the same time. We take a pragmatic attitude towards religion. Generally, Chinese people are not interested in engaging in professional religious activities as monks. Therefore, a few years ago, when news spread that a certain temple was recruiting professional monks, requiring a bachelor's degree or above and a CET-6 certificate, and of course, the treatment was very generous. In fact, people only expressed envy verbally, but in their hearts, there was not much interest. If Chinese people had to choose a religion to convert to, most people would still yearn to be Taoists.
Why are people interested in being Taoists?
One reason lies in the mysterious cultivation methods of Taoists. The vast majority of religions in the world pursue the immortality of the soul and going to heaven after death. Although it cannot be falsified and seems relatively advanced, after all, it is ethereal and untouchable. In Taoist cultivation, what is pursued is longevity and the immortality of the physical body - which is much more honest than other religious people.
Modern people naturally don't believe that people can really cultivate to become immortals, but the cultivation methods of Taoists, especially internal alchemy, have an irreplaceable role in modern science in exploring the mysteries and potentials of the human body. Therefore, people are willing to become Taoists and learn Taoist cultivation methods.
The second reason lies in the fact that Taoists have good ways of maintaining health. Taoist guidance techniques originated in ancient times and were formed by imitating the activity characteristics of wild animals and combining with the functions of human organs. Thousands of years of practice have proved that these guidance exercises do indeed benefit people's health and play a role in prolonging life. As Zhuangzi said, "Blowing and exhaling, expelling the old and taking in the new, stretching like a bear and extending like a bird, are all for the purpose of longevity. These are the pursuits of those who practice guidance and those who cultivate the body, and those who, like Peng Zu, live a long life."
Taoist medicine is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. In ancient times, Taoists were generally highly skilled physicians at the same time. The term "miraculous elixir" was obviously originally used to describe the medical skills of Taoists. With exercise methods and superb medical skills, although being a Taoist cannot make one become an immortal, a long life can still be achieved with a high probability.
The third reason lies in the legends of Taoists that are particularly attractive to modern people. Compared with the pedantry of Confucianism, Chinese people inherently like the natural and unrestrained nature of Taoists. Many ancient Taoists are still talked about with relish by contemporary people. The story of Zhang Tianshi, the founder of Taoism, catching ghosts is still sung by modern people. There are countless legends about Lu Dongbin, the originator of internal alchemy. Lu Zu's footprints are also all over the beautiful rivers and mountains of the motherland and are pursued by modern Chinese people.
Adding Taoist elements to literary works can often add a lot to the works. In the martial arts novel "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber Slaying Command", the bridge section where Taoist Zhang Sanfeng teaches Zhang Wuji Tai Chi has impressed countless Chinese martial arts fans. This is also the charm of Taoist culture.
The fourth reason also lies in the secular freedom of being a Taoist. This is quite in line with the Chinese tradition. Unlike being a monk who must shave his head and become a monk, Taoist priests of the Zhengyi School can practice at home and don't have to become a monk. Of course, Taoist priests of the Quanzhen School are required to become monks and practice. Taoist priests of the Zhengyi School are relatively more secular. The Taoist Mansion of the Celestial Masters of the Successive Han Dynasties on Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi, the base camp of the Zhengyi School, has had successive Celestial Masters since the end of the Han Dynasty, all of whom are direct descendants of Zhang Daoling, the founding Celestial Master. Compared with other religions, being a lay Taoist doesn't require such a great price, but the possible gains are extremely many. In other words, being a Taoist may be the most cost-effective way of believing in a religion. This is also in line with the Chinese people's pragmatic nature.
Lu Xun once said, "People often hate monks, nuns, Muslims, and Christians, but not Taoists. Those who understand this principle understand most of China." This is perhaps the most intuitive expression of why Chinese people yearn to be Taoists.
Why are people interested in being Taoists?
One reason lies in the mysterious cultivation methods of Taoists. The vast majority of religions in the world pursue the immortality of the soul and going to heaven after death. Although it cannot be falsified and seems relatively advanced, after all, it is ethereal and untouchable. In Taoist cultivation, what is pursued is longevity and the immortality of the physical body - which is much more honest than other religious people.
Modern people naturally don't believe that people can really cultivate to become immortals, but the cultivation methods of Taoists, especially internal alchemy, have an irreplaceable role in modern science in exploring the mysteries and potentials of the human body. Therefore, people are willing to become Taoists and learn Taoist cultivation methods.
The second reason lies in the fact that Taoists have good ways of maintaining health. Taoist guidance techniques originated in ancient times and were formed by imitating the activity characteristics of wild animals and combining with the functions of human organs. Thousands of years of practice have proved that these guidance exercises do indeed benefit people's health and play a role in prolonging life. As Zhuangzi said, "Blowing and exhaling, expelling the old and taking in the new, stretching like a bear and extending like a bird, are all for the purpose of longevity. These are the pursuits of those who practice guidance and those who cultivate the body, and those who, like Peng Zu, live a long life."
Taoist medicine is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. In ancient times, Taoists were generally highly skilled physicians at the same time. The term "miraculous elixir" was obviously originally used to describe the medical skills of Taoists. With exercise methods and superb medical skills, although being a Taoist cannot make one become an immortal, a long life can still be achieved with a high probability.
The third reason lies in the legends of Taoists that are particularly attractive to modern people. Compared with the pedantry of Confucianism, Chinese people inherently like the natural and unrestrained nature of Taoists. Many ancient Taoists are still talked about with relish by contemporary people. The story of Zhang Tianshi, the founder of Taoism, catching ghosts is still sung by modern people. There are countless legends about Lu Dongbin, the originator of internal alchemy. Lu Zu's footprints are also all over the beautiful rivers and mountains of the motherland and are pursued by modern Chinese people.
Adding Taoist elements to literary works can often add a lot to the works. In the martial arts novel "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber Slaying Command", the bridge section where Taoist Zhang Sanfeng teaches Zhang Wuji Tai Chi has impressed countless Chinese martial arts fans. This is also the charm of Taoist culture.
The fourth reason also lies in the secular freedom of being a Taoist. This is quite in line with the Chinese tradition. Unlike being a monk who must shave his head and become a monk, Taoist priests of the Zhengyi School can practice at home and don't have to become a monk. Of course, Taoist priests of the Quanzhen School are required to become monks and practice. Taoist priests of the Zhengyi School are relatively more secular. The Taoist Mansion of the Celestial Masters of the Successive Han Dynasties on Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi, the base camp of the Zhengyi School, has had successive Celestial Masters since the end of the Han Dynasty, all of whom are direct descendants of Zhang Daoling, the founding Celestial Master. Compared with other religions, being a lay Taoist doesn't require such a great price, but the possible gains are extremely many. In other words, being a Taoist may be the most cost-effective way of believing in a religion. This is also in line with the Chinese people's pragmatic nature.
Lu Xun once said, "People often hate monks, nuns, Muslims, and Christians, but not Taoists. Those who understand this principle understand most of China." This is perhaps the most intuitive expression of why Chinese people yearn to be Taoists.
