何谓道教：
道教以学道、修道，行道为主，发源最早始于轩辕黄帝，发扬于老子，成教于张道陵天师。道教是中国固有的宗教。它包含和继承了上古至今几千年的中华文化和民族传统以及民间风俗习惯。故大文豪鲁迅先生会说："中国人的根柢全在道教" 。要了解中华文化就有必要了解道教。
道教的哲理及教理教义源自于老子<<道德经>>。道教强调人需要了解宇宙万物的自然规律，因为唯有认识大道，人民方能和谐共处。道教相信宇宙间运行着一套自然法则。这套法则便是道教的核心。如果一个人能顺应自然，便能使生命与道合一。故，道教可称为中华宗教-哲理传统中的精髓。
海内外道门弟子将道祖降世之农历二月十五，作办道教至重节日，逢此吉日，各名山大观均将庆贺礼拜，此日又称为道教节。
道教以学道、修道，行道为主，发源最早始于轩辕黄帝，发扬于老子，成教于张道陵天师。道教是中国固有的宗教。它包含和继承了上古至今几千年的中华文化和民族传统以及民间风俗习惯。故大文豪鲁迅先生会说："中国人的根柢全在道教" 。要了解中华文化就有必要了解道教。
道教的哲理及教理教义源自于老子<<道德经>>。道教强调人需要了解宇宙万物的自然规律，因为唯有认识大道，人民方能和谐共处。道教相信宇宙间运行着一套自然法则。这套法则便是道教的核心。如果一个人能顺应自然，便能使生命与道合一。故，道教可称为中华宗教-哲理传统中的精髓。
海内外道门弟子将道祖降世之农历二月十五，作办道教至重节日，逢此吉日，各名山大观均将庆贺礼拜，此日又称为道教节。
What is Taoism:
Taoism is about learning, cultivation and practice, that is, learning about the ways of the Tao, self-cultivation to achieve Tao and practising the teachings of Taoism. Its origins could be traced back to the time of the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di, 黄帝), thereafter it was promoted by the philosophical writing of Lao Zi (老子), and finally organised as a formal religion by Zhang Dao Ling (张道陵), the religion's Celestial Master.
Taoism is the only indigenous religion of China. It embodies forms of Chinese beliefs and traditions practiced from the early days of Chinese civilization. Thus, as the great Chinese writer Lu Xun put it, "The root of the Chinese people is Taoism." It is commonly said that to understand Chinese culture, one has to understand the Taoist religion as Chinese culture lies in Taoism.
Taoism draws its philosophy and teachings from Lao Zi's "Tao Te Ching" but it has never developed a dogmatic belief system. Instead Taoism wholeheartedly adopted the philosophy and principles of the "TAO". Taoism emphasizes the paramount importance of understanding the natural order of things, because only by knowing the principles of the Tao people then can live in harmony.
Taoism views the universe and all its manifestations as operating according to a set of unchanging natural laws. Human beings can gain knowledge of these laws and become attuned to them. It is these natural laws that constitute the core principles of Taoism. Aligning ourselves with these principles provides a universal perspective and understanding that allows life to be lived in harmony with the Tao. Hence, Taoism may be defined as the Chinese philosophic-religious tradition dedicated to achieving harmony with the transcendent Tao.
Taoists dedicate Lao Zi's birthday, 15th day of the 2nd Lunar Month to offer homage. All Taoist temples conduct prayers to mark the Supreme Patriarch of Taoism and keep this day as the Taoist Day.道教三祖：
轩辕黄帝> 是华族纪元的开始，故尊为道教始祖，并以他登帝位时(公元前 2697年) 作为第一个甲子的纪年开始，至今 2002 年一共 4699 年 (道历)。
老子> 道家思想的创始者，生于商朝武丁二十四年(公元前1301年)，岁次庚辰二月十五卯时，原名李耳，字伯阳，号聃，根据道书的记载，老子乃为元始天王所化神宝君之化身，道教奉为太上老君，太上道祖或道德天尊，列为三清尊神之一，乃大道至尊之神，道教尊为道祖，著有一部闻名于世的 <<道德经>>。
张陵> 又称张道陵，也是正一教祖，为张良八世孙，东汉沛国人，生于东汉建武十年(公元34年)，岁次甲午正月十五。东汉顺帝时，张天师依据民间习俗和道德经成立了五斗米道，教民信奉黄老之道，后制定道教仪式，创定道教的规律，而成为正式的道教，因其布善行仁，全民信仰，乃能为中华民族崇奉日隆的宗教。Three Grand Masters of Taoism:The Yellow Emperor (黄帝)The Yellow Emperor is commonly acknowledged as the progenitor of the Chinese world and is therefore also honoured as the founder of Taoism. The date of the beginning of his reign - BC 2697 is taken as the beginning of the Chinese calendar (the first jia zi 甲子). The Taoist calendar also dates itself from that point in time, and so Taoists regard the current year AD 2001 as the 4698th year on the Taoist calendar.
Lao Zi (老子)Lao Zi is recognized as the initiator of Taoist philosophy. He was born during China's Shang Dynasty, in the middle of the second lunar month in BC 1301. His actual name was Li Er. According to Taoist annals, he is the incarnate of the Celestial King of the Creation (元始天尊), and also the personification of the Lord of Divine Treasure (神宝君). He is also addressed as Tai Shang Lao Jun or Tai Shang Dao Zhu or Dao De Tian Zun, and is considered to be one of the Trinity of Holiness and Purity. Lao Zi is the author of the world-famous "Tao Te Ching" (The Book of the Tao and its Virtues).
Zhang Ling (张陵)Zhang Ling is also known as Zhang Dao Ling. He founded the Orthodox One Sect (正一派) of Taoism. He was born in AD 34, during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and was a Descendent of Zhang Liang. Zhang Ling synthesized the prevailing customs of the people at that time with the teachings of the Tao Te Ching to form a Wu Dou Mi Taoist Sect (五斗米道, another name for the Orthodox One Sect) and he became the Heavenly Master (天师). He preached the Tao of the Yellow Emperor and Lao Zi and formalized rituals and regulations to give Taoism a form identity as a religion. The Sect performed charity far and wide and its reputation gradually spread throughout the land to become a religion of the Chinese people.道教主要的信念：道教以 "忠" ，"孝" ，为主 ，以 " 敬天法祖，利物济人 " 为务，本自由，平等和平的原则学道，修道和行道，毫无拘束。道家修养功夫分内修(出世) 和外修(入世) 两门。出世与入世并无畛域，不偏于一门。道教是提倡行善积德的。就如<<太上感应篇>>所讲的： 是道则进…慈心于物。忠孝友悌，正己化人…矜孤恤寡，敬老怀幼。昆虫草木犹不可伤。宜悯人之凶，乐人之善。济人之急，救人之危。见人之得如己之得，见人之失如己之失。道教所信奉的神很多，故道教是一个多神教，基本信仰可分神 (无极界)、仙 (太极界)、圣(现世界)。道教徒将神，仙和圣，统尊称为神明，即天神普照光明。 道教徒一般在家中或庙里进行祭祀活动。由于每一间庙象征着神的府地，所以宫庙多采用皇家式建筑，建得富丽堂皇。虽然花费较大，但是这正突显信徒们对神明的崇敬。每座庙宇反映了道教的宇宙观。庙宇一般坐北朝南，左有青龙，右有白虎的画像或雕塑。庙顶皆是仙山圣境，或古代传奇人物的雕塑。脊梁的正中央则有双龙戏珠的情景。这颗龙珠象征了香炉所散发出的真气。凡是节日，因为庙宇地方小，人潮多，所以它们会搭起临时帐篷来容纳信徒们，也方便道士们举行斋醮。这类临时场所称为"道场"。Basic Tenets of Taoism:Taoism's main precepts are "loyalty" and "filial piety". In practice, it calls on its faithful to "respect heaven, honour ancestors, and be compassionate to man and all things under heaven". In promoting the learning and cultivation of Tao, it adheres to the principles of liberty, equality and peace. Personal cultivation in Taoism has two aspects to it: Inner (内修) and Outer (外修). The Inner stresses a state of truth to and authenticity within one's self. The Outer requires one to be loyal, filial, benevolent and thrifty, all with the purpose of improving oneself and helping others. There is, however, no clear dividing line between the Inner and the Outer.
Good deeds are emphasized in Taoism. This message is clearly stated in the Taoist text Tai Shang Gan Yin Pian (太上感应篇):If you are in harmony with the Tao you will advance…. Be kind and compassionate to all things. Be dedicated in whatever you do… Help the orphans and widows. Respect the old and care for the young. Do not hurt trees, grass, and insects. Share in the suffering of others. Delight in the joys of others. Help people in desperate need. Save people from harm. View the good fortune of others as your good fortune. View the losses of others as your own loss
Taoists worship many deities and so Taoism is polytheistic. The deities belong to three realms: Shen (神) (Wu ji or the Limitless Realm), Xian (仙) (Tai ji or the Great Realm) and Sheng (圣) (Terrestrial Realm). They may be translated into the approximate English terms of gods, fairies and saints. In Chinese, the Divine is collectively called "shen ming" (神明), which literally means "radiance of the celestial soul", thus referring to a divine or supernatural force
Taoists usually perform worship in their own household or in the temple. The temple is metaphorically the residence of a heavenly official. Thus, it is built with the characteristics of the palaces and residences of imperial China. Cosmologically, the temple represents the Taoist image of the world. The principal door of the temple opens toward the south and the temple walls on either side often have the images of the Green Dragon and White Tiger. Another easily noticeable characteristic is the roof. It is often an image of a sacred mountain, the paradise of the Immortals. The figurines that decorate the roof depict legendary figures and heroes of sacred myths. One can also find that at the top of the roof, two dragons looking at each other over a flaming pearl located in centre. This pearl represents the pure energy (chi) that emanates from the incense burner in the temple. Being the sanctuary of the Divine, the décor is often very elaborate and expensive. It represents the sincerity of devotees towards the Deity.
At times of festivities, Taoists also perform worship in temporary tents and shelters. Such structures are often set up because the temple ground is too small to hold a large congregation of devotees and also the need to engage the services of Taoist masters to perform rituals. Such special ritual space is called "the Tao's enclosure" (Dao-chang 道场).
In the Taoist religion, ancestors are remembered and honoured with offerings; they are also worshipped. The practice of remembering and honouring one's ancestors is to promote harmony and happy living within the family unit. It reaffirms the family identity and maintains the transition in order of succession.
