What is Taoism?

Taoism (or Daoism) refers to a variety of related philosophical and religious traditions that have influenced Eastern Asia for more than two years. The word 道, Tao roughly translates as, "path" or "way" (of life), although in Chinese folk religion and philosophy it carries more abstract meanings.

What is the essence of Taoism?

Taoist propriety and ethics emphasize the Three Jewels of the Tao: compassion, moderation, and humility, while Taoist thought generally focuses on nature, the relationship between humanity and the cosmos, health and longevity, and wu wei (action through inaction), which is thought to produce harmony with the Universe.

Reverence for ancestor spirits and immortals are also common in popular

What is the history of Wudang Taoism?

From the Zhou Dynasty to the Eastern Han Dynasty many Taoist Internal Alchemists and hermits longed for a secluded place deep in Mount Wudang for their practice of meditation and esoteric arts:Yee Xee, the famous disciple of Lao Tzu, once practiced internal alchemy in First Heavenly Gate on Mount Wudang.
Taoism practice grew strong on Wudang in the Tang and Song Dynasty; famous Taoist figures such as Yao Jian, Sun Si Miao, Lu Dong Bing, Guo Tian Wei, and Chen Tuan began their practice of Internal Alchemy in retreat on this sacred mountain.
Ma Ming Sheng, Yin Chang Sheng, who are widely-known alchemy practitioners in the Eastern Han Dynasty, once sought to retreat here in Wudang to practice alchemy in company with the beautiful scenery. Dai Meng, a famous army general in the Han Dymasty, left his military office and studied internal alchemy with his teacher on Wudang.

Ever since the foundation of Taoism in China, Mt. Wudang has gradually became the most ideal location for Taoists activities and retreat practice in central China. In the Wei-Jin South and North Dynasty, the Tao- practitioners who moved into Mt. Wudang increased in numbers. In the Tang and Song Dynasty,

Wudang Taoism evolved into its peak development time, during which famous Taoist figures began to establish their hermitage house here for their undertakings of the practice of Taoist Internal Alchemy one after another.

The Ming Dynasty announced the peak period for development of Wudang Taoism, and Zhen Wu was respected as a God at the royal palace, and Zhang Sanfeng, the famous Taoist and founder of Taiji on Mt. Wudang, was called upon to show up in the royal court.

How can we re-experience the essence of Wudang Taosim?

A major aspect of Taoist influence on Chinese culture is its martial arts. Chinese martial arts of all sorts have a long history and a great diversity of methods and styles. Generally speaking, they are divided into two big schools: the south school and the north school. The south school originated from Wudang Mountain, the Holy Land of Taoism. It is called the Wudang

Sect, with its boxing called as Neijiaquan. Wudang martial arts are a great contribution of Wudang Taoism, which is a famous branch of Chinese Taoism.

It is said that the father of Wudang Neijiaquan is Zhang Sanfeng an outstanding Taoist. When practising asceticism at Wudang, he saw a fight between a pied magpie and a snake, which enlightened him a lot. Based on the postures of the two animals, he eventually created the unique Wudang boxing. It has been developed and enriched successively by the great masters over the generations, and has now grown into one of numerous schools and varieties with rich contents. Wudang boxing includes boxing varieties such as Taiji (shadowboxing), Xingyi boxing and Bagua (eight-trigram boxing), weapon arts such as Taiji spear and Taiji sword, and various Qigong (a system of deep breathing exercises for health).