what is the religion of the Tao called?
 

Does it have a name? Is it just called Taoism? Where is this practiced?

Is it really a religion?

There is a religion called Daoism in China, but has very little to do with Daoism; if this makes sense.

The Tao is beyond any religions, no religion could contain the tao, the tao is only a pointer to what IS, don't get caught up with the name tao, in fact you need to drop the name or anything that brings a concept of what IS to the mind, for the mind can never get it.

there are many various sect of daoist religions which exist in China. however one of the most influential daoist texts "dao de jing" or "tao te ching" written by lao zi states "The Tao that can be expressed is not the eternal Tao; The name that can be defined is not the unchanging name." in other words true daoism cannot be taught, because intellectualizing the Dao is impossible.

So where is Daoism practiced? It is similar to Buddhism and Hinduism in its objectives.

Daoism is a process of enlightenment is it not?

Taoism comes in two forms. There is the philosophical non-dual form that was it's original form; emphasizing a well lived life that is defined by Wu Wei, action through nonaction.

After it's conception and adoption by some thinkers, it became interlaced with Chinese Folk Religion which shared the same geography, so it was very easy for them to meld. It also became closely associated with Confucianism as a complimentary philosophy.






Taoism is practiced all over the world, but it began in China, around the 2nd century BC, if my memory is correct (might be wrong though).

No, it's not really similar to Buddhism and Hinduism, they can be thought of as part of the same group of Non-dual philosophies of the the Indian and Chinese sub-continents, but Hinduism has a belief in hundreds of deities, and it's emphasis is worship of the gods, while one is on a path to eliminate karma, so one may be relieved of earthly suffering.
Buddhism can be (simply) called a more personal religion, in that it places importance on personal liberation, rather than the worship of various gods*

Taoism (the philosophical kind that is separate from Chinese Folk religions) does not say whether there is a god or gods - nor does it note an afterlife, it simply focuses on living at one with nature.


But, there are some regional forms of Taoism that revere various "Immortals". But again, those seem to be more connected to TFR, rather than the original Taoism brought forth by Chuang Tzu and Lao Tzu.

I hope I've helped some.



*Some forms of Buddhism worship Bodhisattvas, and some honor various gods.

Thankyou Animus. That makes it clearer.