The Importance of Constellation in Taoism
Constellation in Taoism had a number of advantages and importance in the ancient Chinese culture even up to present. (Li and Wong, 2003) It served to bring all the gods under one roof so that they could be worshiped. Taoism among the Chinese had a significant importance in that it represented their way of life and what they stood for as a culture in a whole (Kohn, Robinet and Brooks, 1998). The movement of Taoism is believed to have been started by a queen in the distant past of the Chinese culture (Ibid 1998). Kleeman (1994) observes that Taoism being the path in which people must follow became a basis in which the whole of communities were to be part of. Taoism represented a unifying factor among the people in the Chinese communities who had been long oppressed. They did seek solace in the unification and appeasement that Taoism offered to them.
Taoism constellation had the importance of unifying the religions in China and bringing them under one roof. This bringing of religion under one roof was to consolidate control over the so many religions and gods that were there so that they can be harmonized to avoid divisions (Kleeman, 1994). This was a very important part of the Chinese culture as unity enabled them to fend off the Mongolians who usually attacked them. According to Li and Wong (2003), due to the Chinese beliefs of divine authority it was important for the constellation of Taoism so as to make sure that human destinies are determined from one point where their gods are installed (Kleeman 1994). The gods which were under Taoism were the determinants of people’s destinies. People used the constellation to ask about their futures and to pray to them so that they can gain favors from the gods to be able to be successful in life. The constellation had an importance of spiritual breeding among the people of China. They believed that it was the gods that gave life to beings so if they wanted the best breeds for their animals they always consulted the Taoism constellation. When they wanted to conceive a baby, they always consulted it so as to get babies who would be prosperous in life and productive for the Taoism constellation. It had the spiritual importance in making the people have the best characters that the society deemed fit for their survival. Constellation of Taoism had the importance of enabling the Chinese leaders and emperors to be able to consolidate power and be able to rule the Chinese people under the Taoism constellation (Ibid, 1994). The leaders who were believed to be spiritually anointed were thus able to rule and control the people with a lot of ease because they believed that the words their leaders spoke were directly from their gods who were under the.
Taoism constellation cult was encouraged by the ruling class illustrates that the government was part of the gods and that the people should obey what was demanded by the gods (Kleeman, 1994). This shows the importance of the constellation throughout the history of Chinese. Kohn, Robinet and Brooks (1998) note that the scholars and the rationalization that they tried to achieve in constellation of Taoism. It led to its development of guidelines that were followed by the Chinese people to avoid confusion and extremist ideas (Ibid, 1998). The books they wrote about the Taoism formed a basis into which it was spread to include the whole populace and keep its records. The scholars ensured that the Taoism constellation conforms to the required standards therefore making it be more acceptable to the populace.
The assuming of high position in Taoism by the god Wen-ch’ang was one critical reason for the importance of the constellation. According to Kohn, Robinet and Brooks (1998), when the god resumed the high power, it made sure that the cult was transmitted into the school systems, temples of the Confucian. The power was extended to the control of all the important examinations in the Chinese civil service. This was a sure way of ensuring that Taoism was important to the population.
The incorporation of Taoism to the education system is another sure way that led to it being important to the Chinese people. The children who were enlisted into the Chinese education systems had to learn about the gods under Taoism, which was a must (Kleeman, 1994). This meant that Taoism received a large area of coverage by being taught and also being part of the Chinese civil examination. (Kohn, Robinet and Brooks, 1998)
The Wen-ch’ang cult also expanded due to the control it had over the men and women. It was able to determine the fates of both men and women. This made sure that they both paid allegiance to the gods and keeping it as part of their lives. Because their fate was held by the gods brought together by Taoism it led to most men and women making the religion part of their lives and influencing others to be part of it (Ibid 1998). This also was one of the main reasons for the importance of the constellation of Taoism in China. The constellation also had the importance of bringing men and women together during the time of worship.
The expansion of the Taoism was instigated by merchants who traveled to trade in different regions in China. (Kleeman, 1994) They did not just went to trade in the provinces they traveled to but they also carried with them the Taoism way of worshipping through the constellations. Since Taoism was so appealing to people, it followed that they took it up quickly and made it part of their own. Those who aspired to be religious leaders had to learn about the Taoism religious practices to be acquainted with it (Kohn, Robinet and Brooks, 1998). This was a sure way of showing the importance of Taoism constellation in covering new horizons since they would have congregations to which they would teach the values of the gods require. (Kohn, Robinet and Brooks, 1998) The importance of the constellation was to represent the gods and the representatives of the government officials; this made it to look as a more pristine way of religion to be followed by the populace. The teachings of the Taoism became more entrenched with time, leading to the total acceptance of the ways of Taoism by the populace. The troubles experienced by the Chinese people during the incursions by the Mongol made them want to be close to this god. Due to the nature of the god as per the cult the Chinese found solace and peace in Taoism (Li and Wong, 2003).
Constellation of Taoism played a critical role in that it was the custodian of all scripts about the religions that were important to Chinese people even up to date. New temples that were erected during the times of 1235 and 1236, and the following decades and acted as an impetus for the expansion of the cult to cover an expansive area were all as a result of Taoism constellation. This meant that the South East of China was more inclined to the Wen-ch’ang cult because of the temples that were erected. The church of Taoist played a critical role in the expansion of the cult into new horizons in China. Taoist scriptures were the center of the cult in which they regularly consulted. This was in line with the identity they sort to be recognized in (Kleeman, 1994).
The expansions occurred rapidly to encompass the whole populace. The mode that was used to expand was so realistic that it made it a reality. The transfer from one place to another was made possible due to the spread of temples all across the South East part of China that was under the Taoism constellation (Kohn, Robinet and Brooks, 1998). The constellation of Taoism was important in that it served as a medium that gave people the know-how and was transmitted through the technological advances that the Chinese made during the period. The government officials were also put in check in the way they conducted themselves by the constellation of Taoism. It made sure that they treated the villages or the provinces that they presided with respect and decorum under the guidance of the gods. The constellation of Taoism also brought with it new ideas on how things and technology are. It contributed so much to the science of the earlier days. For example the interior breath circulation, which was first, studied under Taoism. In the development of medicine, it was very instrumental as it ensured that the Chinese population’s health was well taken care of.
The Chinese technology, which was transmitted from one generation to another, was as a result of the constellation of Taoism that allowed the practice of inventing new technology and passing down to other generations. Technology is usually adopted and improvised over time and passed down from one generation to another. The benefits that came with the transfer of technology were that it ensured the continuity of the importance of the constellation of Taoism.
The people were also the reason as to why the constellation of Taoism was important. Kohn, Robinet and Brooks (1998) observe that they worshiped the gods because to them, they formed an integral part of their lives. When a being is seen as being of great importance to people’s lives, then it follows that others will want to experience the same. There are those who continued their worship because they were the part of the government. The government being taken as important as gods in China then it followed that Taoism was important.
Increased access to the religion by both women and men made the religion expand the increased importance of Taoism hence. It meant that the faithful had a direct communication with the gods. This was a stronger reason that pulled people towards this Taoism and be able to identify with it. This was because they felt close to their protector and the fact that they can interact one on one laid the basis for its importance. The reasons for increased access to the gods were due to the increased interregional travel that also increased the interregional trade amongst the Chinese. The trade carried out increased the monetization of the most of the Chinese economy, which in turn led to the development of Taoism. As we all understand the prosperity of man leads to him wanting to be close to religion. Communication brings people together and to be able to understand each other, thus leading to sharing of values culture and religion. The communication was also a reason as to why Taoism became important. Communication encouraged people to look beyond their individuality and focus on making themselves special by having a universal religion that cuts across all individuals and gods (Kohn, Robinet and Brooks, 1998).
The examinations that were being administered were also high end in showing the importance of Taoism. Their results in social mobility and the end the mobility result in the spread of the religion that is an important part of human society. Such examinations ensured that men who yearned for more status in society to become more conversant with the religion hence leading to the importance of Taoism. This was by their determination to ensure that they studied the cult scriptures that were harmonized by the Confucius professionals.
The integration of the Chinese people that was facilitated by the Chinese deities was a part of the Taoism religious beliefs. This made it possible for them to be able to adhere to Taoism as they all had an identity of being part of one society (Kohn, Robinet and Brooks 123).
This kind of identity is what made it possible for them to try and gain uniformity in the religion that they followed as a whole. Integration also came with its advantages as a result of Taoism because it made sure that religion was institutionalized. Institutionalization made sure that most institutions in the provinces were part of Taoism.
Evidently, the importance of the constellation of Taoism had immense benefits to the religions and the people of China through different mediums that were also appealing to them. Taoism had the qualities that were easy for the people to identify it hence making it be an integral part of their life. The importance of the constellation ensured that the people looked in one place of worship for guidance and protection throughout their lives back on earth.
Works Cited
Kleeman, T. F. A god’s own tale: The Book of Transformations of Wenchang, the Divine Lord of Zitong. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1994. Print.
Kohn, L., I. Robinet, and P. Brooks. “Taoism: Growth of a Religion.” Journal of Asian Studies (1998): n. pag. Web. <10.2307/2658863>.
Li, Y., and E. Wong. Lao-tzu’s treatise on the response of the Tao: Tʻai-shang kan-ying pʻien : a contemporary translation of the most popular Taoist book in China. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press, 2003. Print.
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