Page 308 - Islam and Far Eastern Religions

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TAOISM
A PAGAN RELIGION OF ANCESTOR

AND NATURE WORSHIP
As we had mentioned earlier, with the emergence of
Confucianism Shamanism had declined in Chinese society but re-
turned later under the name Taoism. Taoism represented ancient
Chinese culture and Chinese folk religion. Whereas Confucianism had
a greater influence on the state bureaucracy and the educated classes,
Taoism became popular with the masses.

In the present day, Taoism is practiced in China, Japan, North and
South Korea, which is where the majority of its adherents live. It is es-
timated that there are approximately twenty million Taoists around the
world, but some sources estimate this figure could be as high as nine-
ty-five million, as various beliefs in China merge, making it more diffi-
cult to determine the number of Taoists there. Taoism has spread to all
corners of the world, albeit not as a religion. People around the world
have chosen to adopt some aspects of Taoism and not others. For in-
stance Taoist practices like acupuncture, alternative medicine, fortune
telling, meditation and astrology have gained widespread acceptance

in the west.
It is believed that Taoism was founded by Lao-Tse around 500 BC,
yet nothing is known of him, and there is some doubt as to whether he
even existed. Some sources claim that Lao-Tse was an archivist who
migrated to the West in his old age where he dictated his book The Way
of Virtue to a customs official. Taoists consider this book Tao Te Ching
as their supposed sacred scripture. It has two parts, and the text con-
sists of 5000 words. It is believed to have been written by Lao-Tse.

Islam And Far Eastern Religions