Spreading Taoism Worldwide: Challenges and Opportunities in Modern Times

As Taoism, China’s indigenous religion, seeks to establish its presence in the global landscape, several pressing questions arise: How can Taoism spread internationally? What values should it share with the world? In today’s rapidly changing world, how can Taoism contribute to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the building of a global community with a shared future? These are crucial questions not only for the Taoist community in China but for the entire world.

Before coming to Zhenjiang, I was reminded of President Xi Jinping’s important statement during his 2014 visit to the city: “Without universal health, there is no comprehensive well-being.” This philosophy should also guide the development and dissemination of Taoism. Just like ensuring public health, the growth and spread of Taoism must be healthy, inclusive, and rooted in a strong foundation.

Here are my thoughts on how Taoism can spread globally, presented for your reflection and critique.

1. Strengthening Taoism’s Core: Innovating with the Times

There are two ways to think about Taoism's global spread. In a narrow sense, it refers to the direct communication and sharing of Taoism with others—person to person. In a broader sense, it involves spreading Taoism's philosophies, culture, arts, and values as part of the larger Chinese cultural system. Both forms of dissemination require strong, healthy platforms, including skilled practitioners, tools, policies, and resources.

However, when we look at Taoism’s international reach, we can see several weaknesses. For example, despite China’s significant achievements in global projects like the Belt and Road Initiative, Taoism’s presence and contributions as an essential part of traditional Chinese culture have been limited. This calls for introspection from the Taoist community.

A stagnant culture cannot remain vibrant. Taoism must be open to innovation. In the modern world, Buddhism has developed Humanistic Buddhism, Confucianism has birthed New Confucianism, and in Taoism, the idea of Life Taoism has emerged. However, Life Taoism has not yet developed into a fully realized concept like Humanistic Buddhism, which has successfully spread worldwide as a philosophy for both self-help and global welfare. If Taoism is to avoid being marginalized, it must embrace change, like Buddhism and Confucianism have.

For Taoism to thrive globally, it needs to engage with contemporary human concerns while maintaining its spiritual essence. Taoism’s core beliefs—reverence for the Dao as the ultimate principle, respect for life, harmony between humans and nature, and the cultivation of virtue—are universal. Yet, these ideals have not yet broken free from the confines of traditional Taoist practice.

2. Building Healthy Channels: Collaboration and Shared Benefits

As China’s influence grows globally, Chinese culture, including Taoism, is finding new opportunities for dissemination. For Taoism to spread effectively, it must integrate itself into China’s broader cultural export strategy.

Here are two key ways Taoism can contribute to the world:

1. Offering Philosophical Insight for New Forms of Human Civilization

Taoism teaches that the Dao is the root of all things. The saying “The Dao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, and Three gives birth to all things” illustrates how Taoism reveals the dynamic interplay of yin and yang in the evolution of all things. While Western thought often emphasizes competition and dominance over geographical space, Taoist philosophy focuses on balance and harmony with the environment. This perspective offers valuable insights for the development of new models of human civilization.

2. Enhancing China’s Cultural Soft Power

Taoist philosophy, martial arts, medicine, music, and rituals represent significant cultural soft power. These aspects of Taoist culture are rich resources that can contribute to the growth of human civilization. By sharing these elements with the world, Taoism can help shape the future of global culture.

To accomplish this, we need to amplify the voice of Taoism. Taoism’s profound wisdom, such as its teachings on health and virtue, should be shared more widely. Taoist ceremonies and rituals can also highlight the deep-rooted values of Chinese civilization. For example, Taoist martial arts, which emphasize strength, resilience, and harmony, reflect China’s cultural spirit of overcoming challenges with grace.

Taoism's holistic worldview, promoting harmony between heaven and earth, and its vision of a great unified world, can offer new perspectives on modern global issues. These values should be integrated into the narrative of Chinese culture as it is shared with the world.

3. Modernizing Taoism: Moving Forward with the Times

In a recent speech, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of traditional Chinese culture and highlighted five key characteristics of Chinese civilization: its continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness, and peaceful nature. These traits must guide Taoism’s global expansion, with innovation being especially critical.

Modernizing Taoism presents a unique challenge. However, the rich philosophy of Taoism offers plenty of room for adaptation to contemporary society. One relevant Taoist idea is common prosperity. The Taiping Jing (Scripture of Great Peace) states that wealth belongs to both heaven and humans and should not be monopolized by a few. The text encourages the circulation of resources, ensuring everyone’s basic needs are met. Taoism also teaches that the wise should care for the less fortunate, and the strong should help the weak. These principles could contribute to modern discussions of wealth distribution and social justice.

Taoism also has much to offer in the fields of ecological civilization, technological advancement, and health. The challenge lies in integrating these ancient teachings into the modern context, ensuring they align with the goals of socialism with Chinese characteristics and contribute to the construction of a global community with a shared future.

In conclusion, Taoism must look both inward and outward. By maintaining its core values while embracing change, it can strengthen its role in the world, contributing to the betterment of humanity and the rejuvenation of Chinese civilization.

Cultivate virtue, build a positive image, form strong relationships, and benefit the world!