Daoism, also known as Taoism, is one of the major religions of China. The core belief is learning and practicing the “Way” (Dao), which is the ultimate truth of the universe. The Dao has several meanings. It is the basis of all living things, governs nature, and is a method by which people want to live. The Dao is eternal, without beginning or end. Since it has no beginning, it is therefore the oldest thing in the universe. The Dao is neither good nor bad and is the source of all things. The Dao has no desires and creates the universe, but does not dominate or regulate it. This idea of ​​non-manipulation by the Dao is an example of wu-wei. Wu-wei is one of the central tenets of Taoism and literally means the act of non-being/non-action. This doesn't mean that people are as lazy and passive as you might think. This means acting instinctively, following your instincts and not thinking too much about someone's actions and words, it basically means just going with the flow. To act through wu-wei you should not think about what actions you will take and the consequences and results of those actions, you simply let your actions control you, you do not control your actions. The most useful action is the unconscious one. De is the Taoist concept of virtue. It can be described as a way to live in unity with the Dao and emerge from one's inner nature. All things acquire De and it is De that guides the productions of the Dao. Our De appears as we follow the path of the Dao. Daoists see no greatness in violence because of their great respect for peace and the value of all human beings, even those who are their adversaries. Daoists believe that we must fight only when absolutely necessary, and even then with a heavy heart. ......middle of paper......confiscated, and priests and nuns were forced to return to secular life. Taoism allowed particularly severe measures, as it was considered a strange, irregular and harmful superstition to man. Recently, some efforts have been made to restore the practice of the Taoist religion. In 1956, the Chinese Taoist Association was formed, which received official authorization in 1957. It was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution under Mao, but restored in 1980. The headquarters of the Association is in Baiyun guan. Baiyun guan now serves as a training center for all Taoist sects and is able to grant ordinations in any tradition. As this religion suffered a collapse with the end of the Ch'ing dynasty in 1911 and thereafter, the war swept away most of the legacies that supported Daoism. There are currently 20 million followers, of which 30,000 live in North America.