What does Taoism mean?

Taoism is the general name of ancient "alchemists, hermits, magicians" and people who follow and use Tao to do things.

Generally speaking, the academic circles believe that "Tao" is a man with Tao. Or clergy who believe in Taoism are called "Taoists".

In fact, the name "Tao" appeared a little later than the alchemists in the Warring States period, but the essence and existence of Tao have existed since ancient times. For example, Lao Tzu said in the Tao Te Ching: "The good in ancient times are subtle and unfathomable." This "scholar" does not refer to ordinary people, nor to princes, nor to warriors or soldiers. But those "hermits" and "people with a way" who were good at "following the Tao" and were famous for their wealth in ancient times.

In Laozi's eyes, the ancient "Tao" people had the character of "being as good as water" and the wisdom of "learning successfully and making a name for themselves". There are noble character and ambition of "Comte's tolerance and obedience" and feelings of "simplicity, selfishness and no desire". There is a quiet ideological realm of "self-knowledge, self-knowledge, self-criticism and self-conceit" and a free and easy spirit of "not paying attention to teachers and loving capital" There is a saying that "plug its exchange and close its door;" It's better to keep the center than to say too much. At the same time, it has vertical and horizontal talents of "ruling the country with righteousness, using troops with strangeness, and taking the world with nothing".

Wang Ping and Ai Yuping, famous scholars, said: "In the cultural history of China, there seems to be an unchanging rule, that is, Taoist figures appear in troubled times. Every time there is no hope of social unrest, Taoist figures come out to set things right and pursue the style of "fame and retirement heaven", such as Yi Yin in Shang Tang, Jiang Ziya in Zhou Dynasty, Fan Li in Yue, Sean in Han Dynasty, Wei Zhi in Tang Dynasty, Liu Bowen in Ming Dynasty and Fan Wencheng in Qing Dynasty.

Therefore, the appellation of Taoist priest is not dedicated to teaching staff (for example, Zheng Banqiao, a famous painter in Qing Dynasty, claimed to be a Taoist priest in Banqiao). On the contrary, anyone who practices Taoism, whether it is "self-cultivation, keeping the family in order" or "governing the country and leveling the world", can be called "Taoist".

Of course, monks living in temples are more qualified to be called "Taoists".