Taoism Holy Book?

[Silverbackman]

Is there a Taoist "Bible" that Taoists use to see the teachings of Taoism? What is the most important text of Taosim that is discusses the teachings of Taoism?

[queenofsheba]

The 3 books "Dao-de-jing", written by Lao-zi around 550 BC.

[Vajradhara]

Namaste Silverbackman,


thank you for the post.

by the by... did you get your screen name from the Gorillas of the same name?

there are several main branches of Taoist thought which are currently extant. typically speaking, these are divided into the religious forms of Taoist praxis, which are still mostly found in China and the surrounding area, the Philosophical Taoism, which is often what we find in the non-Asian countries and, the Spiritual Alchemy schools, which can be found throught the Taoist practicing world.

given this, there are several texts which are considered primary material, depending on which particular school that one may actually practice.

The earliest known Taoist text seems to be the I ching, well known as one of the fundamental classics of Chinese thought. This text was well regarded by both Taoists and Confucians. The I ching was written during a time when divination was prominent.

The Tao Te Ching is, without doubt, the most well known after the I ching. The Tao Te Ching is credited to Lao-tzu (Old Master) in roughly 600 B.C.E.

Other texts include Yin Convergence Classic, which is credited to the Yellow Emperor, an historical-mythological figure of ancient China, in roughly 2,500 B.C.E. Other texts include, Chuang-tzu, which is widely held to be one of the best literary works in history, Sun-Tzu a military strategy text, and Huai-nan-tzu.

In the Alchemical schools the teachings are found in a few important texts namely, The Triplex Unity, 400 Words on the Gold Pill, Pao-p’u-tzu and Leih-tzu.
Taoism

metta,

~v

[alphone]

Hello friend of Tao,

These Scriptures are known as the fundamentals of Taoism:

1. Doe Duc Ging / Tao De Jing
2. The Scripture on the Sign of Yarm(yin)
3. The Southern Glory Truthful Scripture / Tzorng-Tzee / Chuang Tzu
4. The Scripture on the Constant Purity and Tranquility

Sorry I cannot post their links due the restriction of this forum, you may find them out by google

[alphone]

More:

* The Truthful Scripture of the Ultimate Virtue, by the Real-Person of the Deep Emptiness / Lieh Tzu

* The Ultra Supreme One's Tractate on Actions and Their Retributions