Influence in Society:
Taoism was a counterbalance to the conservative and strict nature of Confucianism, China's other great religion. Taoism has aided in the development of Chinese medicines and chemical innovations, through it alchemical practices. Taoism stemmed the process of acupuncture and the invention of gunpowder. Many aspects of Buddhism were established from Taoism. Some of these aspects include Chinese breathing and meditation practices, and the rise of Zen. Without Taoism, Buddhism, which was originally considered a school of Taoism by the Chinese, Buddhism may have never become popular in China.
With its emphasis not on education but rather on naturalism, Taoism has been the inspiration for some of China’s greatest works of art and poetry. The landscape painting and poetry of Wang Wei and the poetry of Li Bo were created through the artists summoning something of Tao itself and leaving behind their own minds. The Tao Te Ching’s emphasis on spontaneity added a living dimension to Chinese society. (Cambridge Studies of Religion. 2011)
These influences on society implore that in the human search for meaning, one must have a dimension of spontaneity and naturalism in their lives, striving for immortality through alchemical practices.
With its emphasis not on education but rather on naturalism, Taoism has been the inspiration for some of China’s greatest works of art and poetry. The landscape painting and poetry of Wang Wei and the poetry of Li Bo were created through the artists summoning something of Tao itself and leaving behind their own minds. The Tao Te Ching’s emphasis on spontaneity added a living dimension to Chinese society. (Cambridge Studies of Religion. 2011)
These influences on society implore that in the human search for meaning, one must have a dimension of spontaneity and naturalism in their lives, striving for immortality through alchemical practices.