Forum explores Taoism's future

By Zhang Rui
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, November 27, 2014
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Taoists, senior officials and academics addressed a forum at the foot of Longhu Mountain, Yingtan, Jiangxi Province on Tuesday afternoon to explore the future of Taoism.

Xu Jialu, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, gives a speech at the Third International Taoist Forum in Yingtan, Jiangxi Province on Nov. 26, 2014. [Photo/China.org.cn] 

 

Xu Jialu, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said Taoism, like other great religions in the world, was established to resolve worries and tragedies in real life and answer the questions people are most concerned about.

"But Taoism still faces two most significant problems," Xu said, "One is how to further illustrate the doctrine of Taoism as modern science develops; and the other is how to deal with wizards and superstition which still exist and are needed by the Chinese public.

Xu said Taoist philosophy is concerned about people’s hearts and minds, and proposes that human suffering is the result of selfishness and limitless desires. "Many Taoist fellows later focus on self practice and improve themselves, but ignore how to save the world by using Taoism," he added.

The former senior official said Taoism needs to reform and move with the times. Taoist followers and researchers should study the original Taoist classics and think about new practical problems to adapt the religion to modern society and explain Taoism in modern language. He also said Taoism needs to be in contact with science, such as traditional Chinese medicine. In the end, Taoism will have to interact with the world, and learn about advanced research to solve problems in humanity.

Master Ren Farong, president of the Chinese Taoist Association, also made a speech appealing to the audience to do good things for general public, guided by the Tao. "If you always do good things, you will benefit yourself, and you will provide a way of Tao for your own life and see a bigger universe," he said.

Master Zhang Jintao, descendant of Taoism religion founder Zhang Daoling and vice president of the China Taoist Association, offered four suggestions to develop Taoism: First, promote Taoist ideals and thoughts, strengthen Taoist belief and roots and education, keep up with the times and integrate new thoughts and social developments; Second, push forward and perfect religion legislation to help Taoists to secure the interests and rights to legally practice Taoism and organize religious events, and strike cults.

Third, he said, is to make stronger efforts to let Taoism go out into the world to expand and promote itself, though in recent years China's Taoists have collaborated well with overseas Taoist individuals and organizations. He proposed to set up an international body for Taoism in good time. Fourth, Zhang proposed doing more to benefit the people and repay society, including medicine, repairing and building roads, bridges and other infrastructures and education.

Martin Palmer, secretary general of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation, Lou Yulie, Professor of the Department of Philosophy at Peking University, Zhang Jiyu, also vice president of the China Taoist Association, Patrick Nijs, former Belgian Ambassador to China, Bawa Jain, secretary general of the Alliance of World Religious Leaders, Chen Tianlai, president of the Singapore Taoist Association and other Taoist and religious experts and researchers also gave speeches at the forum, sharing their thoughts on Taoism development, spiritual fulfillment, Taoist healthcare and exercise, and Taoist philanthropy.

The Third International Taoist Forum was held in Yingtan from Nov. 25 - 26. A total of 180 Taoist representatives and 200 special guests from 27 countries and regions including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and South Korea attended the forum.

An additional 2,500 Taoist practitioners, experts, academics and reporters from around the world also participated in the event.

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