"Providing meaning and purpose in life is a central role of religion.) Religion is a ready-made worldview or system of formal beliefs and structures that provides people with meaning, hope, stability, morals, guidance, support and spiritual fulfillment. The main purpose of religion is to give people answers to the main fundamental questions of life- who am I? Why am I here? Where do I come from? What happens when I die? Taoism (pronounced Daoism) is an ancient religion that originated in China over 2000 years ago. It can be described as an ancient tradition that consolidates a number of concepts and practices that make up the "Path", or "Way" of living. It provides followers of the religion with answers and meaning to life. The ongoing beliefs and philosophies of Taoism are sustained through rituals and sacred spaces, practices, deities and sacred texts. .
Taoism is based on the beliefs of nature corresponding with wisdom and practice, to achieve the way of life and uniting one with the Tao. What is the Tao though? The Tao is a term that's meaning cannot be fully or properly translated, however, can be described as the moral "way", "path" or "principle". It is the belief that there is a way of nature, simply how the universe operates, or the circle of life and Daoism teaches people that if you follow the movement or flow of nature with the way that the universe is with out human destruction, you can achieve anything. In Taoism, the Tao represents the force behind everything that exists both spiritually and physically. Taoism has greatly impacted the Chinese culture, as well as surrounding countries and has also spread to western countries, as people have found great interest in the philosophy behind the religion, which is living in harmony and finding "the way". The Taoists also believe in the concept of the "Three Jewels" which include; compassion (begins the path to courage), moderation (begins the path to generosity) and humility (begins the path to leadership).
