Women
Taoism is a gender-neutral religion. This is
implied by the concept of Yin Yang which teaches that masculine and feminine are
complementary, inseparable and equal.
The Tao Te Ching uses female images such as the mother of the universe and
the mother of all things when describing the Tao.
Taoism has always accepted that women have an equal part to play in spiritual
life. Women took priestly roles from the earliest days of organised Taoist
religion and Taoist legend has many tales of female deities.
Feminine characteristics
Taoism emphasises
characteristics that are usually thought of as feminine such as softness and
yielding, modesty and non-aggression. It teaches that the weak will overcome the
strong.
Taoist priests
Taoist priests undergo long and intense
training to acquire the necessary skills. They must study music, liturgy and
ritual, as well as meditation and other physical practices; and they must learn
Taoist theology and the spiritual hierarchy of the Taoist deities. During this
training they are required to live highly disciplined lives.
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Categories: Releases