Taoism
noun
Tao·ism
ˈdau̇-ˌi-zəm 
ˈtau̇-
variants
or less commonly Daoism
1
: a Chinese mystical philosophy traditionally founded by Lao-tzu in the sixth century b.c. that teaches conformity to the Tao by unassertive action and simplicity
2
: a religion developed from Taoist philosophy and folk and Buddhist religion and concerned with obtaining long life and good fortune often by magical means
Examples of Taoism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Wikipedia entry on the Golden Rule cites variations of this basic ethic from Egyptian, Sanskrit, Tamil, Persian, Roman, and Yoruba texts, from the three Abrahamic religions, as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and so on.
—
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024
The name Nezha refers to a deity common across Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and other folk religions.
—New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2024
Thinking The 3 jewels of Taoism are helping drive the Rural Renaissance
De-urbanized lifestyles can be aligned with basic Taoist principles — and remote workers are starting to feel the connection.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
Wang’s study begins in the Song (960–1279) and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties with neo-Confucianism, a school of thought that adapted traditional Confucianism in the face of challenges by Taoism and Buddhism.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
About one-fifth of Taiwan’s 23 million people count themselves as Buddhist, another 5 percent are Christian, and over half take part in Taoism and a range of related folk religions, including worshiping Mazu, also spelt Matsu.
—Amy Chang Chien Lam Yik Fei, New York Times, 3 May 2024
Vivienne began her career as a primary school teacher and remained always curious, studying Taoism in later years.
—Lily Cole, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2023
The holiday is largely secular and includes traditions deriving from Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, in addition to other traditions from myths and folk religions across Asia.
—Ty Roush, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
Similarly, ancient Asian traditions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Taoism, Confucianism, and others elevated the human role in maintaining relationalharmony among interacting forces.
—Carl Safina, TIME, 5 Oct. 2023
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Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024
The name Nezha refers to a deity common across Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and other folk religions.
—New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2024
Thinking The 3 jewels of Taoism are helping drive the Rural Renaissance
De-urbanized lifestyles can be aligned with basic Taoist principles — and remote workers are starting to feel the connection.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
Wang’s study begins in the Song (960–1279) and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties with neo-Confucianism, a school of thought that adapted traditional Confucianism in the face of challenges by Taoism and Buddhism.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
About one-fifth of Taiwan’s 23 million people count themselves as Buddhist, another 5 percent are Christian, and over half take part in Taoism and a range of related folk religions, including worshiping Mazu, also spelt Matsu.
—Amy Chang Chien Lam Yik Fei, New York Times, 3 May 2024
Vivienne began her career as a primary school teacher and remained always curious, studying Taoism in later years.
—Lily Cole, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2023
The holiday is largely secular and includes traditions deriving from Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, in addition to other traditions from myths and folk religions across Asia.
—Ty Roush, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
Similarly, ancient Asian traditions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Taoism, Confucianism, and others elevated the human role in maintaining relationalharmony among interacting forces.
—Carl Safina, TIME, 5 Oct. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near Taoism
Cite this Entry
“Taoism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Taoism. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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