Good Websites and Sources on Taoism: Robert Eno, Indiana University Religion Facts Religion Facts Religious Tolerance Stanford Education Taoist Texts Chinese Text Project Taoism chebucto.ns.ca Chad Hansen’s Chinese Philisophy hku.hk/philodep The Emperor Shi went through great lengths to try and achieve immortality.
In the old days, many Taoists spent their whole lives looking for elixirs of immortality. Famous Taoist painting dealing with immortality include Immortal Ascending on a Dragon, Riding a Dragon, Fungus of Immortality, Picking Herbs, and Preparing Elixirs. Taoist painters have traditionally chosen immortally as one of their central themes. Numerous Taoist prayers are dedicated to the spirits of immortality. The idea of a spiritual immortality like that of Christianity was alien to the Chinese until Buddhism was introduced to China. Immortality can be viewed literally or as a symbol of spiritual liberation. The highest goal of many devotees of Taoism is the attainment of immortality through a total channeling of energies to reach harmony with Tao.
The immortality referred to in Taoism is physical immortality. Taoists also believe that immortality it not something that can be achieved by separating oneself from nature, like with a soul, but rather is something achieved by directing natural forces through the body, creating more durable body materials, using techniques such as breathing, focusing sexual energy and alchemy. Because all nature is united by Tao, Taoists believe, immortality can be attained. Immortality is an important idea in Taoism.
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