Hua Shan, one of five sacred Taoist mountains in China. Photo: Harry Alverson.

"The way that can be spoken of is not the constant Way; The name that can be named is not the constant Name. The nameless was at the beginning of heaven and earth; the named was the mother of myriad creatures." --Tao Te Ching

What is Taoism? Is it a religion? Is it a philosophy? What is Taoism's history in China? Who founded Taosim? What are the beliefs of Taoism? These are some of the common questions people have about Taoism.

Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is based on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, a short tract written in the 6th century BC in China. The emphasis of the Tao Te Ching is on spiritual harmony within the individual, which complements Confucianism's focus on social duty.

Today, there are 20 million followers of Taoism worldwide, most of whom live in China, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia. Many followers of Taoism are characterized by their use of the Taoism symbol, ying yang, reading books on Taoism, and living out their beliefs against the backdrop of Chinese culture. Taoism is also increasingly influential in the West, especially in the field of alternative medicine and in martial arts like Tai Chi.