Taoism Collection (#12)

Man Mo Temple. Main hall. Incense coils

Incense burning at Taoist Donyue temple, Chaoyang district, Beijing, China, Asia

Chan She Shu Yuen Chinese Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia

China, Beijing. The Temple of Heaven, A UNESCO World Heritage site

Chinese religious leaders, known as the three holy ones. Confucius (551-479 BC, lower left) founded the quasi-religious system of Confucianism

Tian Tan complex, Close-up of the Temple of Heaven (Qinian Dian temple), UNESCO World Heritage Site, Beijing, China, Asia

Tian Tan complex, crowds outside the Temple of Heaven (Qinian Dian temple), UNESCO World Heritage Site, Beijing, China, Asia

Qingyang Gong monastery temple complex, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Asia

Taoism - Exhibit in Lyon - Musee Guimet
An exhibit at the Musee Guimet in Lyon showing Chinese Taoist ceremony (China, Amoy)

Burning incense during Tet, the Vietnamese lunar New Year celebration, Thien Hau Temple, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Thien Hau Temple, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Shop selling joss sticks for Buddhist and Taoist temples, Macau, China, Asia

Main altar of Taoist Chinese temple, Tsien Sze Yah, the oldest temple in Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Detail, Taoist Temple, Cebu, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Asia

Donyue temple, Chaoyang district, Beijing, China, Asia

Lucky China Knots symbolising happiness decorate Taoist Donyue temple, Chaoyang district, Beijing, China, Asia

Taoist Donyue temple, Chaoyang district, Beijing, China, Asia

Taoist temple dedicated to Kuang Kung, war god, dating from the Ming dynasty, Tainan city, Taiwan, Republic of China, Asia

Thian Hock Keng Taoist temple, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Asia

Burning incense at Taoist Donyue temple, Chaoyang district, Beijing, China, Asia

Dragon decoration on the exterior of a Taoist temple in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, Asia

White Cloud Temple (Baiyun Guan) tended by Taoist monks and founded in AD 739 with todays buildings dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties, Beijing, China, Asia

Chang Tao-Ling / Werner
CHANG TAO-LING Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

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Taoism, an ancient Chinese philosophy and religion, encompasses a rich tapestry of beliefs and practices, and is deeply rooted in the principles of balance, harmony, and the pursuit of inner peace. One can catch a glimpse of Taoist spirituality through various cultural artifacts scattered across time and space. The enigmatic image of The Kitchen-God from 1922 captures the mystique surrounding this tradition's deities. Its unknown creator skillfully portrays a divine figure associated with domestic affairs, symbolizing blessings upon households. The teachings of Lao-Tse, Confucius, and Buddha have also influenced Taoism over centuries. These great thinkers shaped its philosophical underpinnings while emphasizing compassion, wisdom, and self-realization. In Southeast Asia's Thian Hock Keng Taoist temple stands Mazu sea goddess—a revered deity believed to protect seafarers. This sacred site in Singapore serves as a testament to Taoism's enduring presence throughout the region. Further south lies Cebu City in the Philippines where another Taoist temple stands tall—its vibrant colors reflecting devotion to spiritual enlightenment amidst bustling city life. The iconic Yin Yang symbol embodies one of Taoism's fundamental concepts—the harmonious interplay between opposing forces such as light and dark or masculine and feminine energies—an eternal dance that maintains cosmic equilibrium. Delving deeper into its mystical aspects reveals Chinese eroticism depicted in Sou Nu King—a treatise on sexual initiation dating back to the 4th century A. D. Within these pages lies an exploration of sensuality intertwined with spiritual growth—an embodiment of Taoist beliefs regarding physical intimacy as a path towards transcendence. Xuan Wu (Tran Vu), a bronze statue residing within Quan Thanh Temple in Ba Dinh District exudes strength and protection—a representation of one aspect within the pantheon worshipped by followers seeking guidance along their spiritual journey.