According to Taoism, where are our origins. How far back in time were we created?
Ok, to clarify what I mean: Christians believe, that God created the world we live in and he created man. Our parents gave birth to us, that is the first time and the last time we will be born on this earth.
Buddhists tell us, that we are here since beginning less time. We were never created, our mind has never been made, it was always there. And it can not die. When our bodies die, our stream of consciousness will go on to the next existence.
So, just out of educational interest, what do Taoists think? Where are we from? When were we created? Does our existence end with your death? Or does something carry on? And even more interesting: Did we exist before your life on this earth? And if yes, for how long? And if no, where did we, as individuals, originate from?
Taosim does not specifically spell this out. I did a project many years ago that said the Chinese people believed the world was born from a giant cosmic egg but that is more a myth these days then something they take very seriously. Most eastern religions do not say there was a 'beginning' because they believe in a more cyclical time cycle versus a linear Western time line.
Taoist practice is based on coming into harmonious alignment with the elemental patterns of change. So they see death as more of a return of the elements to the earth.
Taoist genesis appeared in two versions. The first Division-Genesis in Tao Te Ching and partially in I Ching described out of Tao- nothingness or Wuji gave rise to existence Taichi, this existence splitting into the binary yin and yang, yin and yang splitting into the four realms and then the Eight countenance, and from which every beings or non-beings are created. The myth of Pangu around 200 CE describing the universe started as a cosmic egg with Pangu born within and broke it into two halves, was an allegorical version of the Division-Genesis.
A second version with metaphysical reference was given in a late 20Th century book called Tiantang Yiuchi in which genesis was detailed, that out of Tao or Wuji came a non-being called Xuanxuan Shangren who hatched into the Three Pure Ones the Daoist Trinity and then the Five Supremes. Three of the Five Supremes incubated the first man and woman as well as all living beings.
An important scripture of Taoism, the Chuang Tzu (4th century BC), states: "Birth is not a beginning; death is not an end. There is existence without limitation; there is continuity without a starting point. Existence without limitation is space. Continuity without a starting point is time. There is birth, there is death, there is issuing forth, there is entering in. That through which one passes in and out without seeing its form, that is the Portal of the Divine."
The core Taoist belief on reincarnation is Liudu Lunhui or the six grades of reincarnations in existence for sentient beings who were once yuanling beings. The six types varied from humans, to beasts and insects where progressively each denotes a level of more severe incarceration for beings who sinned in previous incarnates that do not yet warrant an outright damnation to Diyu. This is in the realm of the living which in practice is akin to purgatory. Humans incarnates who has successfully purified their earthly dirt in their last lives improve on their fate or karma progressively as they reincarnate into their next level of beings, until they voluntarily clense the make-up of their internal Jing Qi Shen or until an involuntary process of absolution called Souyuan.
You can learn about the Daoist belief from the on line Zhuan Falun Lecture. Chinese Buddhism and Taoism share some basic belief.
For example, the Daoist symbol, Tai-Jo, is discussed in the Fifth Talk of the Lecture. The Daoist belief is summarized on page #8. In the First Talk, you probably find many of your answers. Other Daoist practice is also mentioned throughout the Lecture.
Not relating to Buddhism nor Taoism, Falun Gong is a unique Buddha School, combining the Taoist and Buddhist practice. Falun Gong is based upon the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. Falun Gong consists of five sets of powerful exercises.
Can you kindly sign a petition to stop persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China ahead of the Beijing Olympics, please ?
http://cipfg.org/en/news/731.html
According to Taoism, where are our origins. How far back in time were we created?
