Glossar

Dao is traditionally referred to as “the path”. Within Daoist philosophy it describes the eternal and active principle of creation which encompasses both original unity and duality. Dao thus constitute the basic principle of the world’s creation, it is a principle of immanence (= all-pervading) as well as transcendence (= undifferentiated emptiness, mother of the cosmos) and represents the highest state of being. Dao stands for the potentiality of all forms and also for the power that pervades the whole process of creation and creation itself. “Life in harmony with the Dao” refers to a lifestyle where any action is taken spontaneously and in harmony with the general situation, out of a state of inner stillness.
Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao

The Dàodéjīng (Tao Te King, Tao Te Ching) is a collection of sayings which, according to Chinese legend, comes from a sage named Laozi, who disappeared in the western direction after writing it down. The Dàodéjīng is one of the basic texts of Daoism.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao_Te_Ching

The world view that underlies the I Ching is rooted in Daoism (Chinese: “Teaching the Way”, Taoism). The basic idea is the primordial unity from which all creation emanates: it gives birth to duality (Yin and Yang, light and shadow) and by their changes, movements and interplay creates our environment (the external world).

The ethical teachings of Daoism advise that people should learn about this basic principle through their own observation and realize the Dao by harmoniously adapting to the continuously changing, phenomenal forms.

Daoism is a philosophy, but it is also seen as China’s sole and authentic religion. Its secured historical origins are in the 4th Century BC, when the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching, Tao te Ching) of Laozi (Lao Tzu, Lao-tzu) was created.

Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism