Taoist
Beliefs 
The
main tenet of Taoism is the belief in Tao. It is difficult to translate
the exact meaning of Tao into English. In the most general terms it
can be translated as the path or the way. The Tao is the path that one
must follow in life. From this perspective it is a code of behavior.
The Tao is the natural order of all things and is based on the principles
of Yin and Yang. Primarily speaking, however, Taoists believe that Tao
is the universal life force or the underlying nature of all things that
exist in the world.
According to the Tao Te Ching the basic problem that we all face is
that we do not know who we truly are. According to Taosim we humans
are part of a cosmic process known as the Tao. In life our fundamental
choice is to either acknowledge this reality and let ourselves become
one with the Tao, or to resist what we are and attempt to establish
our own separate identities outside of the Tao.
Taoists believe that the
world that we experience is the manifestation of the unmanifest Tao.
The pattern of the Tao is one of return. In other words, it is a process
of coming into being, maturing, and then decaying and returning to the
Tao. Everything in the world is a part of this constant cycle. All things
possess their own te or destiny. When this te is not opposed it will
naturally manifest itself in the process of life.
The idea of nonaction as representing the natural course of things is
a fundamental belief of Taoism. This idea of nonaction refers mainly
to the constant interaction of Yin and Yang which are
believed to govern the behavior of all things. 
Taoists believe that man is a microcosm for the universe. They believe
that the body corresponds with the plan of the universe. The five organs
of the body correspond to the five directions, the five holy mountains,
the sections of the sky, the seasons, and the elements. Taoists believe
that by understanding man a person can comprehend the ultimate structure
of the universe.
Taoists believe that there are Three Jewels, or characteristics,
that all Taoists should live by. These jewels are stated in the Tao
Te Ching. The three jewels are compassion, moderation and humility.
This compassion ultimately leads to courage, moderation leads to generosity,
and humility leads to leadership. All these are necessary to return
to the Tao.
The ultimate goal of Taoism is to become one with the Tao. For humans,
this means leading a natural and simple life. Clutter from outside is
thought to influence and obstruct a person's understanding of the Tao.
However, being in harmony with the Tao allows the person to return to
the original state of all things and become the Tao.
Taoism is a polytheistic
religion. Each of the Deities is believed to be a manifestation of some
aspect of the Tao. Taoists, however, do not pray to any of these Deities.
Unlike Christianity, for example, Taoist gods are not personified. There
is no god that can solve any of life's problems. Rather, Taoists seek
the solutions to life's problems through personal meditation and observation.
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