Taoism ( or ), also known as Daoism, is a religious or philosophical tradition of Chinese origin which emphasizes living in harmony with the "Tao" (, literally "Way", also romanized as "Dao"). The "Tao" is a fundamental idea in most Chinese philosophical schools; in Taoism, however, it denotes the principle that is the source, pattern and substance of everything that exists. Taoism differs from Confucianism by not emphasizing rigid rituals and social order. Taoist ethics vary depending on the particular school, but in general tend to emphasize "wu wei" (effortless action), "naturalness", simplicity, spontaneity, and the Three Treasures: "compassion", "frugality", and "humility".

The roots of Taoism go back at least to the 4th century BCE. Early Taoism drew its cosmological notions from the School of Yinyang (Naturalists), and was deeply influenced by one of the oldest texts of Chinese culture, the "Yijing", which expounds a philosophical system about how to keep human behavior in accordance with the alternating cycles of nature. The "Legalist" Shen Buhai may also have been a major influence, expounding a realpolitik of wu wei. The "Tao Te Ching", a compact book containing teachings attributed to Laozi (), is widely considered the keystone work of the Taoist tradition, together with the later writings of Zhuangzi.

Answer this series of questions:

1. What is a Chinese tradition?
2. what else is it called?
3. what kind of traditio?
4. what does it teach?
5. with what?
6. what does that mean?
7. what is it based on?
8. is it like Confucianism?
9. how are they different?
10. where did it originate?
11. when?
12. what were other influences?
13. what was that?
14. were there other influences?
15. what or who?
16. who is that?
17. how?
18. what is wu wei?
19. which book contains teacings from Laozi?
20. Is it a large book?

Numbered answers:
1. Taoism
2. Daoism
3. religious or philosophical
4. living in harmony
5. the "Tao"
6. literally means the "Way",
7. the principle that is the source, pattern and substance of everything that exists
8. no
9. it doesn't emphasize rigid rituals and social order
10. from the School of Yinyang
11. at least to the 4th century BCE
12. one of the oldest texts of Chinese culture
13. the "Yijing"
14. yes
15. Shen Buhai
16. The "Legalist"
17. expounding a realpolitik of wu wei.
18. effortless action
19. The "Tao Te Ching"
20. no