Cheng Bohan
03/02/2024
Daoist followers typically seek inner balance, moral cultivation, and harmony with nature. While Daoism does not prescribe specific actions for its followers as some other religions do, there are common moral guidelines and practices.
Moral Cultivation: Morality holds significant importance in Daoism. Followers are encouraged to adhere to moral principles such as benevolence, compassion, tolerance, and humility. By cultivating these virtues, they seek to achieve balance in both societal and personal aspects.
Inner Cultivation: Daoism emphasizes inner cultivation, including practices like meditation, chanting scriptures, spells, and qigong. These activities aim to strengthen the unity of body, mind, and spirit, helping followers achieve internal balance and harmony.
Respect for Nature: Daoism underscores harmonious coexistence with nature. Followers are encouraged to respect the natural world, protect the environment, and strive for a harmonious relationship with nature. This is reflected in dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and a general reverence for the natural world.
Seeking the Dao: At the core of Daoist philosophy is the pursuit of the Dao, the principle and force underlying the universe. Followers may seek to understand the Dao through studying scriptures, participating in Daoist rituals and ceremonies held by Daoist Priests, and seeking guidance from wise mentors.
Rituals: Daoist followers may engage in various rituals to pray for good fortune, health, and family harmony. This may involve worshiping deities, ancestors, or other divine beings.
Daily Activities: Daoists who do not have an altar will regularly visit Daoist Temples or nearby Daoist Altars to pray. They offer incense on the first and fifteenth day of every Chinese Lunar Month, during gods' and goddesses' birthdays, and on holy days. Daoists who have an altar set by a Daoist Priest will typically offer incense, water, fruits, flowers, and candles every day.
Daoists who study Qigong, scriptures, spells, martial arts, and meditation practice these activities every day. Listening to Daoist music daily is common to maintain harmony in one's body. Reading Daoist books, such as Dao De Jing道德经, Nan Hua Jing南华经, Lie Zi列子, etc., is a regular practice. Daoists with a Shifu (master) follow the exercises assigned by their Shifu.
Most importantly, Daoists practice Dao every day, every single second, because Dao is everywhere. Study the knowledge and experience it in your daily lives."
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