Smart's Six Dimensions of Religion in Taoism and Categories of Islam in the Contemporary World

Running header: Religion 1
Religion
Student Name
Institutional Affiliation

Religion 2
Introduction
Smarts six dimensions of religion are considered to be intertwined together since they are
structured in a manner to find common ground between world’s religions. Each dimension seeks
to expose a different aspect concerning the religious experience and also provides a unique
technique for dealing with the diversity of different faiths.
Smart's six-dimensional concept of religion in Daoism
To begin with, we have the ritual dimension. It covers the adherents of a religion. For
example, what the subscribers of a specific faith have to do to maintain links to what is sacred.
The ritual dimension can include elements such as; prayer, sacrifice, pilgrimage, initiation,
modes of dressing and also asceticism. In Taoism, different rituals are practiced. The rituals
mainly involve the purification of the soul and the body. Taoism incorporates breathing exercises
and different techniques in search of immortality (Simpkins & Simpkins, 2015). However, the
religion de-emphasizes on rituals since they believe it’s not true to the way of nature. Dancing,
playing of instruments and chanting is also conducted in the rituals.
Secondly, we have the mythological dimension. It includes specific stories or history
learned and passed in different religions. They are essential and can either be written or oral. In
Taoism, two of the most sacred stories involve the founders of Taoism namely Lao Tzu and
Chuang Tzu. The stories include a lot of symbols that are regarded to have traditional wisdom
(Zai, 2015).
Thirdly, we have the doctrinal dimension. This dimension involves the intellectual
components of a religion which may be developed in a scholarly or literate tradition. For the
Taoists, they consider the Tao Te Ching’s, which is the crucial book of Taoism, to guide them
lead a tremendous ethical and spiritual life. Another sacred text known as Chuang Tzu is also
considered, but it’s not very famous.
Fourthly, we have the ethical dimension. The dimension involves ethical concerns
particularly on what is good or bad or how one should live. For the Taoists, ethics involves being
a good person that both co-exists in harmony with people and nature (Rowan, 2015). Virtues of
non-aggression are promoted in this religion.