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The Five Major Systems
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The five major systems of Daoism are sometimes contradictory and confusing, especially to people of
different cultures. Many of the practices of one system are used in the other systems. Thus the lines
between these systems are not fixed and final. The five systems are:
- Magical Daoism - the oldest form of Daoism still practiced today. In this practice, the
powers of the elements of nature and spirits are invoked and channelled through the practitioner to gain health, wealth, and progeny.
- Divinational Daoism - based on understanding the way of the universe and seeing the
great patterns of life. Knowing how the universe works allows us to live in harmony with those universal
forces. As in heaven, so on earth. Divinational Daoism utilizes the study of the stars and patterns found
on earth to help us live harmoniously. The I-ching (the book of changes) is a divinational book.
- Ceremonial Daoism - Originally Daoism was a spiritual practice. Unlike yoga, which
remained a personal spiritual practice, one branch of Daoism evolved into a religion. [1]
- Action and Karma Daoism - Proper action leads to accumulating merit. Following the
introduction of Buddhism into China, ethics took on a greater role in spiritual practice. But it did not
start there; Confucius also taught the value of proper behavior and morality. Good deeds result in rewards,
both in this life and the next.
- Internal Alchemy Daoism - Immortality is the goal of this practice. The seeker works to
change her mind and body to achieve health and longevity. It was in this practice that Chi became recognized
as the key to health and long life. Chi is gathered, nurtured, and circulated through very strict practices.
Incorrect practice is dangerous, and this path of Daoism absolutely required an expert teacher. It is mostly
from this system that Chinese medicine evolved.
An investigation of all these forms of Daoism is beyond the scope of this journey but if you would like to
further study this fascinating field, you could start with the book Taoism by Eva Wong. [2] From there you will
be led to many other texts by Eva Wong and others. For our part, we will journey through the way of alchemy
and transformation. The next step in our journey involves understanding the forms of energy, beginning with
Chi.
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1 -- Religion is the spectator sport of spirituality. In religion we give up our
authority to another who will perform sacred rituals on our behalf. In a spiritual practice, responsibility
remains with us. When a spiritual practice becomes a religion, ceremony is required. Ceremonies, rituals, and
sacrifice bind the powers of heaven to the needs of man. Because we are separate from the powers, we require
an intermediary, or priest, to conduct the rituals for us. As in all religions, a hierarchy develops between
the person who needs help and the powers that can render it. Only if the rituals are correctly performed
will help be given. Monks defer to abbots who are more experienced and who, in turn, defer to even more
senior members of their faith.
2 -- We are using Eva Wong's definitions for the five systems of Daoism.
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