What influence does Taoism have abroad?

With the development of society in the prosperous Tang Dynasty in China's history, political, cultural and trade exchanges and contacts with other countries, Taoism in China was also introduced to Korea, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and East Asia.

Among them, Vietnam, North Korea and Japan were introduced earlier. In Vietnam, historians believe that Taoism was introduced into and influenced the cultural development of China during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, and influenced the thoughts of Vietnamese literati imperceptibly. The philosophical thought of "Tao" can be seen everywhere in the works of Vietnamese literati. At the same time, when the literati are frustrated and helpless in their official career, they all use the inaction, quietness and simplicity of Tao to express their feelings of being detached from things and pursuing peace and freedom. The Taoist philosophy of "weakness conquers strength" has also become the guiding ideology of Vietnamese life, leading people's lives and lifestyles.

According to the South Korean history book The History of the Three Kingdoms, in the 3rd century, Laozi's Tao Te Ching and Liezi had spread in Baekje and Silla societies. In the Tang Dynasty, Taoism was officially introduced into Korea. Taoism not only attracts a large number of believers in Korea, but also has a far-reaching impact on the development of Korean medicine.

Japan and Taoism have a long history. Taoism's belief in immortality, even immortality, can be traced back to the pre-Qin period in China, when many alchemists went up the mountain to collect herbs and explore the sea. Among them, alchemist Xu Fu led 3000 boys and girls, and 3000 girls went as far as Japan. That is to say, there are relics such as Xu Fu Tomb and Xu Fu Memorial Hall in Japan today. In Japanese customs, especially in the worship of "Tao", it is particularly prominent. For example, they call wrestling a soft "Tao"; Call Sanda an empty-handed "Tao"; The national belief above all else is called the "Tao" spirit of samurai.

In medicine, Korea is deeply influenced by "Tao", such as classics, health preservation, yin-yang theory, medicine and so on.

In other countries, with China people going abroad and cultural exchanges, Taoism is also widely distributed all over the world. But Taoism is different from other religions:

First, it is not that the teaching staff went out to preach (there is no precedent for forced preaching), but that foreign envoys and businessmen brought Taoism back to their own countries in history and unconsciously believed in it; When overseas Chinese go abroad, they often build palaces, temples, shrines and churches. With attachment and love for the motherland, worship for ancestors and immortals. Therefore, some scholars said: "As long as there are China people, there are temples; Where there are temples, there are Taoist beliefs. "

Second, Taoism advocates the idea of "Taoism is natural" and takes "handling, not arguing, being modest, being kind and frugal" as its doctrine. Internally and externally, do not seek publicity, but seek weakness (weakness is different from weakness and cowardice in meaning). This kind of teaching and theory is consistent with the Chinese nation's character of "not being strong, not seeking hegemony and not bullying the weak".

Third, in different parts of the world, the angle and level of Taoist belief are different. For example, those who believe in ancestors and gods in order to protect their luck and wishes; Some regard Taoism as a philosophy and study it; Some explore and apply Tao as a political and military category; Studying Taoist health preservation, Qigong, Taiji and health preservation; There are also yin and yang and five elements, which are treated with Chinese medicine; Others regard Taoism as a traditional culture and art to pursue and experience.

In short, the international academic community recognizes that "Taoist culture is all-encompassing and profound". It can be said that as long as everyone enters Taoism, regardless of whether they have faith or not, they will gain something. This is just as the famous scholars Deng and Xiao Zhongsheng said: "The Tao Te Ching is about the outlook on life, world and world. It is about great understanding, great wisdom, great detachment, great liberation, great inaction, great transcendence and great understanding of human beings. It is a quiet spiritual realm. " Professor Hu of China Academy of Social Sciences said: "Taoist culture is a culture that saves the world, changes the course of the earth's ships, is an endless culture, is eclectic, abandons the old and innovates, is pioneering and enterprising, is invincible, and is a culture that moves towards a future world of great harmony."

From 65438 to 0949, after the founding of New China, Taoism in mainland China had little contact with the Taoist circles of other countries in the world, and lacked understanding and knowledge of world Taoism. Zhang Enpu, the 63rd generation in Shi Tian, Taiwan Province, has been devoted to publicizing and promoting traditional culture abroad and has a very wide network of contacts. According to the survey of China Daily 1952 in Taiwan Province Province and the Compendium of the World published by the overseas office of Tianshifu (note: Taoist temples are only related to Tianshifu), there are 54 altars or temples in North America, 85 in South America, 98 in Europe, 54 in Africa and 130 in Oceania. Asia, including Japan/KOOC-0/2, Korea/KOOC-0//KOOC-0/,Thailand 9, Myanmar 7, Indonesia 4, India 2, Philippines 258, Malaysia/KOOC-0/35 and Singapore/KOOC-0/98. At the same time, Tianshifu also has offices in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Singapore and other countries. (Note: No one has done statistics for more than half a century, and the current figures will far exceed the previous figures).

With the international recognition and attention to Taoist culture, from the early 20th century to the 1970s and 1980s, a large number of experts and scholars who are keen on studying oriental culture emerged in the world. Their research results and influence have strongly promoted the inheritance and development of Taoism. These internationally renowned scholars mainly include Japanese professors Kobayashi Sigui, Yoshio Takeuchi, Yoshioka Yifeng, Fukui Yasunari, Hetian Zhong, Tadashi Sakai, Chu Ishikawa, Bangfu Bee House, Guo Nan Mihura, Yoshida Jun and so on. Britain: Needham, Petron, Lu Guizhen (British Chinese) and other professors. French: Professor Gernai, Ma Bole, Stein, Kant, Christopher Schipper, etc. USA: Professor Welch, Spanish, Strickman, Sasso, Herrlee Glessner Creel, etc. Canadian professor, Australian professor Liu Cunren, Swiss professor Herman, German professor Saidel, Dutch professor Weisschulke.