The three "cold knowledge" of Taoism are really long knowledge after reading it!

In the long history of Chinese civilization, Taoism, as a native religion, carries rich cultural connotations, but also has a mysterious concept of cultivation. In fact, there are many interesting and surprising trivia hidden in the profound heritage of Taoism, which are both interesting and thought-provoking. The following editor will share with you the three "cold knowledge" of Taoism, through which we may be able to understand the uniqueness of Taoism more comprehensively.

Meat dishes in Taoist precepts are not meat

When it comes to Taoist precepts, many people may associate taboos on eating meat. However, the definition of "meat" in Taoism is significantly different from the perception of ordinary people. In fact, Taoism classifies spicy vegetables such as onions and garlic as "meat", and not just meat. The roots of this concept can be traced back to ancient texts, such as the Shuowen, which clearly states that "meat, stinky vegetables".

What's even more interesting is that in Taoist practice, the taboo against these spicy vegetables is not just due to dietary considerations. Taoist practice emphasizes spitting out the old and accepting the new, and in the process of cultivating the inner pill in the body, the consumption of these meat dishes will be considered to hinder the progress of cultivation. As a result, the Taoist precept against the consumption of these vegetables, known as the "five meats", which include onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and coriander (coriander), has continued. Through this cold knowledge, we not only have a deeper understanding of the Taoist concept of food, but also get a glimpse of the spiritual philosophy of focusing on tranquility and purity.

Whether a Taoist priest can marry or not depends on the faction he belongs to

In Taoism, there is a common question about whether a Taoist priest can get married. The answer to this question is not generalized, but has to do with the faction to which the Taoist priest belongs. In the long development of Taoism, many factions have been formed, among which the Quanzhen School and the Zhengyi School are the most representative. The rules and precepts of the Quanzhen school were relatively strict, requiring their children to be simple and simple, emphasizing staying away from wine and wealth. In the "Ten Precepts of the First Truth", it is clearly stipulated that "no adultery and evil corrupt the truth, no defilement and slow aura, chastity should be kept, so that there is no defect". Therefore, the Quanzhen sect does not allow Taoist priests to marry.

Comparatively speaking, the precepts of the righteous school are relatively relaxed. They think it's normal for men and women to get married. The attitude of the Zhengyi faction is more humane, believing that love and marriage are also important parts of life. In the Zhengyi school, marriage is not only allowed, but is seen as a natural life experience. Therefore, whether a Taoist priest can marry is not a simple question, the key is the Taoist faction to which he belongs, and this cold knowledge reveals the diversity and complexity within Taoism.

The steps of the Taoist priest ceremony originated from the crane and Dayu's water control

Taoism has many rituals, and the steps of Taoist priests in these ceremonies have a unique origin. This kind of pace is called Bugang stepping bucket or Yu step, which comes from the inspiration of Dayu when he controlled the water. Legend has it that when Dayu controlled the water, he observed the crane walking by the river and was inspired. He discovered that the pace of the crane had a unique pattern, so he combined it with the Big Dipper in the sky to invent this step. This footwork requires the Taoist priest to walk regularly in the position of the Big Dipper, also known as the crane step.

This cold knowledge reveals that the mysterious elements in Taoist rituals deeply integrate the connection between human movements and nature into the rituals of Taoist practice. By emulating the steps of the crane, the Taoist priests not only expressed reverence for nature, but also promoted the Taoist understanding of nature and the laws of the universe.

Write to the end

By exploring these three "trivias" of Taoism, we have gained a deeper understanding of the philosophy and practice of this ancient religion. The definition of meat dishes, the marriage of Taoist priests, and the origin of Bugang Tadou, these cold knowledge not only amaze people with the profound heritage of Taoism, but also give us a clearer understanding of Taoism and uniqueness.