Taoism: Meaning and Definition of

Tao•ism

Pronunciation: (dou'iz-um, tou'-), [key]
— n.
  1. the philosophical system evolved by Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu, advocating a life of complete simplicity and naturalness and of noninterference with the course of natural events, in order to attain a happy existence in harmony with the Tao.
  2. Also calleda popular Chinese religion, originating in the doctrines of Lao-tzu but later highly eclectic in nature and characterized by a pantheon of many gods and by the practice of alchemy, divination, and magic.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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