John Shaqi
Religion4th century BCE~12 million (est.) adherents

Taoism

Founder
Laozi
Origin
Ancient China

A Chinese tradition of living in harmony with the Tao — the natural way and source of all things.

Taoism

Overview

Taoism

Taoism (Daoism) is a Chinese philosophical and religious tradition associated with the sage Laozi and his classic, the Tao Te Ching, composed around the 4th century BCE in ancient China.

At its heart is the Tao — the ineffable Way that underlies and flows through all existence. The tradition prizes wu wei (effortless action), simplicity, spontaneity, and harmony with nature over striving and rigid control.

Taoism grew into both a contemplative philosophy and an organised religion with its own deities, alchemy, and rituals, profoundly shaping Chinese art, medicine, and thought.

Sacred Scriptures

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Tao Te Ching

James Legge

The foundational text of Taoism, attributed to Laozi.

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Critics, Defenders & Scholars

Scholars

Zhuangzi

Philosopher · c. 369–286 BCE · Chinese

After Laozi, the most important Taoist thinker, whose parables explore spontaneity and relativity.

The Zhuangzi

Sacred & Scholarly Books

Well-known works on Taoism — readable in full, right here in the Library.

American Indian fairy talesW. T. Larned
American Indian fairy tales

American Indian fairy tales

W. T. Larned

1921 · Read on site →
Autobiography of a YogiYogananda, Paramahansa
Autobiography of a Yogi

Autobiography of a Yogi

Yogananda, Paramahansa

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China and the ChineseGiles, Herbert Allen
China and the Chinese

China and the Chinese

Giles, Herbert Allen

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Hindu gods and heroes : $b studies in the history of the religion of IndiaBarnett, Lionel D. (Lionel David)
Hindu gods and heroes : $b studies in the history of the religion of India

Hindu gods and heroes : $b studies in the history of the religion of India

Barnett, Lionel D. (Lionel David)

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Hindu literature : Comprising The Book of good counsels, Nala and Damayanti, The Ramayana, and SakoontalaDutt, Toru
Hindu literature : Comprising The Book of good counsels, Nala and Damayanti, The Ramayana, and Sakoontala

Hindu literature : Comprising The Book of good counsels, Nala and Damayanti, The Ramayana, and Sakoontala

Dutt, Toru

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KimKipling, Rudyard
Kim

Kim

Kipling, Rudyard

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Sadhana, the Realisation of LifeTagore, Rabindranath
Sadhana, the Realisation of Life

Sadhana, the Realisation of Life

Tagore, Rabindranath

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The Analects of Confucius (from the Chinese Classics)Confucius

The Analects of Confucius (from the Chinese Classics)

Confucius

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The BookAlan Watts
The Book

The Book

Alan Watts

1966 · Read on site →
The book of filial dutyConfucius
The book of filial duty

The book of filial duty

Confucius

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The cat who went to heavenCoatsworth, Elizabeth
The cat who went to heaven

The cat who went to heaven

Coatsworth, Elizabeth

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The Gospel of Buddha, Compiled from Ancient RecordsCarus, Paul
The Gospel of Buddha, Compiled from Ancient Records

The Gospel of Buddha, Compiled from Ancient Records

Carus, Paul

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The Light of AsiaArnold, Edwin, Sir
The Light of Asia

The Light of Asia

Arnold, Edwin, Sir

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The pit : $b a story of ChicagoNorris, Frank
The pit : $b a story of Chicago

The pit : $b a story of Chicago

Norris, Frank

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The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha: Or, Review of the Different Systems of Hindu PhilosophyMadhava
The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha: Or, Review of the Different Systems of Hindu Philosophy

The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha: Or, Review of the Different Systems of Hindu Philosophy

Madhava

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The Sayings of ConfuciusConfucius
The Sayings of Confucius

The Sayings of Confucius

Confucius

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The Sayings of Confucius: A New Translation of the Greater Part of the Confucian AnalectsConfucius
The Sayings of Confucius: A New Translation of the Greater Part of the Confucian Analects

The Sayings of Confucius: A New Translation of the Greater Part of the Confucian Analects

Confucius

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The Wanderer's NecklaceH. Rider Haggard
The Wanderer's Necklace

The Wanderer's Necklace

H. Rider Haggard

1914 · Read on site →
The Wisdom of Confucius: with Critical and Biographical SketchesConfucius
The Wisdom of Confucius: with Critical and Biographical Sketches

The Wisdom of Confucius: with Critical and Biographical Sketches

Confucius

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Vikram and the VampireRichard Francis Burton
Vikram and the Vampire

Vikram and the Vampire

Richard Francis Burton

1870 · Read on site →
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