Taoism has many forms, sometime it confusing people who want to learn it.taxico wrote:toaism in singapore, i feel, is a little weird. there seem to be a lot of mysticism about it here, with lots of little home temples all over the island. you can't miss it if you walk by one or drive past one at night.
i've witnessed some trances wherein controlled substances were involved. it appears that such behavior is also tolerated by the authorities... at least until the recent mass suicide by a group of teenagers.
i believe the singapore taoist federation has a website that you can look into.
toaism in other countries are equally weird. my wife tells me about taoist priests/believers in korea approaching and asking you to learn more about their religion, and then you end up at their home temples, trapped, and unable to leave without paying some sort of initiation fee, etc... and these things happen on university campuses! (in korea)
But in general Taoism can be grouped into:
1. Taoism Philosophy
This is a group of people who learn Taoism from Tao Tek Cing.
They use Tao Tek Cing as philosophical way of life.
It is very common side of Taoism that has been spread into the West.
May be it is because there is no concept of worship, rituals and dogma inside Tao Tek Cing.
2. Taoism Religion
This religion followed by Chinese and usually called as Folk Religion.
This group arrange by adherent and not disciple groups.
(Please read topic: Religion & Spiritual)
Because of that, the concept sometime deviates from basic Taoism that base on logical thinking way.
Sometime this group entrapped on worship and superstitious thing because their concept base on faith!
It is because of their limitation knowledge of Taoism.
But there are some peoples who look Taoism from this group!
3. Taoism Spiritual
It is the nucleus of Taoism.
All of Taoist master practicing spiritual exercises to improve their value in every aspect of life that can be divide as:
3.1. Physical body
The target is healthy and long life.
Increasing vitality and spirit of life by many exercise and doing healthy habit in every day life.
3.2. Mental body & soul / consciousness / awareness / mind
The target is become wise man, not just a good man.
Sometime Taoist reveals their wisdom in a book and today we know it as Taoism scripture. People learn it without join in spiritual Taoism school.
It is the roof of Taoism Philosophy and Taoism Religion.
3.3. Energy / Spirit
This is ‘something’ that still exists after our physical body death.
Taoist practices certain meditation method as preparation to face any possibility in afterlife.
It may sound very weird but we must be train until we are able to understand the condition of other dimension when we still life.
detail can be found in http://www.facebook.com/xiaoyao.pai