Tao-chia (Taoism)

Rather than the attainment of physical immortality, as in the religious stream of Taoism, [Tao-chia]

has as its goal the achievement of mystical union with the Tao, the ultimate reality, the unity underlying plurality, the motive of all movements, the mother of all substance. Both activities and thoughts are directed towards following the nature of Tao, and followers practice meditation as well, although Taoism recognizes that no practice, including the stillness produced by concentration, is necessarily sufficient to break through the boundaries of psychological conditioning and may only hold it in temporary abeyance. Instead, followers cultivate the art of blending and transcending the elements of duality, notably stillness and movement, in order to unite the celestial and mundane within humanity.

Philosophical Taoism is a precursor of [Ch'an]

Buddhism in that it prepared the way for acceptance of Buddhism when it first entered China, and consequently of Zen in Japan.