Taoist Temple - Lantau Island - Hong Kong

Taoism - a Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-tzu. The central concept and goal is the Tao, and its most important text is the Tao-te-Ching. Taoism has both a philosophical and a religious aspect. Philosophical Taoism emphasizes inner contemplation and mystical union with nature; wisdom, learning, and purposive action should be abandoned in favor of simplicity and wu-wei (nonaction, or letting things take their natural course). The religious aspect of Taoism developed later in the 3rd century AD incorporating certain Buddhist features and developing a monastic system.