Daoism or Taoism

Daoism

Daoism or Taoism is a western religion. This religion states that every thing living and not living has a power flowing through it. The word dao means the way or the path; it is indefinable and Daoists say you have to experience it. One of the basic beliefs of Daoism is that there cannot be light without dark, no good without evil and no male without female. Daoism started as just psychology and a philosophy but in 440 A.D. it evolved into a state religion in China. In time it would become one of the three great religions of China.

Daoism is often related to Star Wars and it is said that George Lucus is a daoist. Throughout the two series of Star Wars, there are many references to Daoism. The “force” is probably the biggest give away that Star Wars is Daoistic. Obi-wan Kenobi, a Jedi knight says that

“The Force is what gives the Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together." In Star Wars the force is something that the Jedi have. Both good and bad Jedi have this force, which is another belief of Daoism. Use the

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force, which is always flowing through them, controls things and moves objects and even uses mind tricks. Also in Star Wars Yoda talks about there being a balance in the force; he says that there has to be a dark side in order for there to be a light side. One needs the other to exist. In conclusion Star Wars is based on Daoism. We need to be careful when we watch Star Wars that we do not take everything literally. Having said that, I must add that Star Wars is an amazing set of movies and I recommend it to everyone.

Daoism originated in China before the 400s and is still a predominant religion there. It was started as philosophy and psychology but evolved into a religion after the 400s. Laozi was the original and the only philosopher of Daoism. Daoism had monks, or Jedi as I like to call them, which were put to work in the 1900s after a new dynasty was established. Daoism at its most popular time was one of the 3 top religions in china.

Daoism currently has over 20 million followers and is mostly centered in Taiwan. There are currently about 30 thousand Daoists in northern America and in Canada and they effect the politics along with martial arts.

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