A Brief Beginning: Taoism and Buddhism
Taoism developed in ancient China and is closely connected with the teachings of Lao Tzu, the Tao Te Ching, nature, Yin and Yang, and living in harmony with the Tao — the natural way of life.
Its influence can be seen in Chinese medicine, Qigong, internal martial arts, meditation, and many healing practices.
Buddhism began in ancient India with Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha after his awakening. His teachings focused on understanding suffering, loosening attachment, cultivating compassion, and awakening to the true nature of life. Over time, Buddhism spread into China, where it influenced Chan Buddhism, which later became known as Zen in Japan.
These traditions have different roots, but they can flow together beautifully in Qigong and meditation practice.
Taoism is also often written as Daoism. Both words refer to the same tradition. The difference comes from two ways of spelling Chinese words in English.
Taoism Begins with Nature, Buddhism Begins with the Mind
Taoism often begins by observing nature. It looks at the seasons, the movement of water, the balance of Yin and Yang, and the way life changes when we stop forcing and start listening. Taoism asks: How can I live in harmony with the natural flow of life?
Buddhism often begins by looking inward at the mind. It teaches us to observe our thoughts, emotions, attachments, and habits. Buddhism asks: How can I become free from the patterns that create suffering?
Both questions are important. Taoism teaches us how to align with life. Buddhism teaches us how to awaken within it.
Taoism Emphasizes Harmony, Buddhism Emphasizes Awakening
In Taoism, one of the main goals is harmony — harmony with nature, harmony in the body, harmony in the emotions, and harmony with the Tao, or the natural way. This is why Taoist-influenced practices often include Qigong, breathwork, energy cultivation, and longevity practices.
Buddhism places more emphasis on awakening. It teaches that suffering often comes from attachment, craving, fear, and misunderstanding the true nature of life. Through meditation, mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom, Buddhism helps us see more clearly and live with greater peace.
Taoism helps us return to balance. Buddhism helps us wake up from illusion.
Taoism Works Closely with the Body and Qi
Taoist practices often place great importance on the body, breath, organs, energy pathways, and Qi. The body is not seen as separate from spiritual practice. It is part of the path. Through Qigong, posture, movement, breathing, and inner awareness, we learn to cultivate energy and restore balance.
Buddhism also works with the body, especially through posture, breathing, walking meditation, and mindfulness. However, the body is often used as a doorway into awareness. We observe the breath, sensations, and impermanence of the body to better understand the mind.
Taoism often cultivates energy through the body. Buddhism often uses the body to cultivate awareness.
Taoism Teaches Effortless Flow, Buddhism Teaches Steady Practice
Taoism teaches wu wei, often translated as effortless action. This does not mean doing nothing. It means learning how to move with life instead of constantly pushing against it. It is action without force, movement without struggle, and wisdom without overthinking.
Buddhism teaches steady practice. Meditation, mindfulness, ethical living, compassion, and self-reflection are practiced again and again.
Qigong practice brings together movement, breath, awareness, and inner balance in harmony with nature.
This steady discipline helps loosen attachment and develop clarity. One path reminds us not to force. The other reminds us not to drift unconsciously.
A Simple Example: Working with Worry
One helpful way to understand the difference between Taoism and Buddhism is to look at how each tradition might approach worry.
From a Taoist point of view, worry may be seen as a sign that we are out of harmony with the natural flow of life. We may be forcing, overthinking, holding tension in the body, or resisting change. A Taoist approach may invite us to soften, breathe, return to nature, feel the body, and allow the Qi to settle. Instead of fighting the worry, we learn to come back into balance.
From a Buddhist point of view, worry may be seen as a movement of the mind connected to attachment, fear, and future thinking. A Buddhist approach may invite us to observe the worry without becoming the worry. We notice the thoughts, feel the emotions, and begin to see that worry is temporary. It arises, changes, and passes away.
Both approaches are valuable.
Taoism may ask:
“Where am I out of balance, and how can I return to harmony?”
Buddhism may ask:
“Can I observe this worry without being controlled by it?”
In Qigong practice, these two approaches can come together beautifully. We use the breath, posture, movement, and Qi to help the body settle. At the same time, we use awareness, stillness, and compassion to help the mind soften.
This is one of the reasons Emei Qigong can be such a powerful healing system. It does not treat worry as only a mental problem or only an energetic imbalance. It works with the whole person — body, breath, Qi, emotions, awareness, and spiritAnother Example: Working with Fear
Fear is another helpful way to understand how Taoism and Buddhism may approach the same human experience from different angles.
From a Taoist point of view, fear may be seen as a sign that the body’s energy has become unsettled or depleted. In Traditional Chinese Medicine and many Qigong systems, fear is often connected with the Kidney energy. When we feel overwhelmed, insecure, or disconnected from our root, fear can become stronger. A Taoist approach may guide us to return to the body, strengthen the breath, ground into the Earth, and restore the deeper energy of the Kidneys.
From a Buddhist point of view, fear may be seen as a movement of the mind connected to attachment, uncertainty, and the desire to control what cannot be controlled. A Buddhist approach may invite us to sit with fear gently, observe it clearly, and recognize that fear is not permanent. It arises, changes, and eventually passes.
Both approaches are deeply useful.
Taoism may ask:
“How can I restore my root, strengthen my energy, and return to balance?”
Buddhism may ask:
“Can I meet this fear with awareness instead of resistance?”
In Qigong practice, these two approaches can work together beautifully. We ground the body, regulate the breath, calm the nervous system, and nourish the Qi. At the same time, we observe the emotion with kindness, allowing fear to soften instead of fighting against it.
This is where Emei Qigong offers a very complete approach. Fear is not treated as something to suppress or judge. It is something to understand, transform, and bring back into harmony through body, breath, Qi, awareness, and compassionate intention.
How This Relates to Emei Qigong
These two approaches come together beautifully in Emei Qigong. The Taoist influence can be seen in the way Emei Qigong works with the body, breath, posture, movement, organs, Qi, and the natural forces of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. The Buddhist influence can be seen in its emphasis on meditation, awareness, compassion, mantra, healing sounds, and inner transformation.
This is what makes Emei Qigong such a complete healing system. It does not separate the body from the mind, or energy from awareness. The movements help open and regulate the Qi. The meditation helps settle and clarify the mind. The healing sounds help transform emotional energy. The intention behind the practice helps guide the whole person back toward balance.
For readers who would like a broader educational overview of Qigong beyond this article, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health offers a helpful introduction to Qigong as a mind-body practice
How Taoism and Buddhism Can Flow Together
Taoism teaches us to flow with the way of nature. Buddhism teaches us to awaken to the nature of the mind. Emei Qigong gives us practical tools to experience both through body, breath, Qi, meditation, healing sounds, and compassionate awareness.
Together, these traditions remind us that spiritual practice is not about choosing sides. It is about becoming more present, balanced, and connected.
FAQs
Is Emei Qigong a religion?
No. While Emei Qigong draws deeply from the philosophical roots and mindfulness practices of both Taoism and Buddhism, it is a holistic health and healing system, not a religion. Practitioners of all faiths—or no religious background at all—can practice Emei Qigong to cultivate energy, reduce stress, and improve physical and emotional well-being.
Do I need to choose between a Taoist or a Buddhist approach when practicing Qigong?
Not at all. In systems like Emei Qigong, the two approaches work together as a unified whole. The Taoist aspect helps you ground your body, regulate your breath, and balance your physical energy (Qi). The Buddhist aspect helps you calm your mind, develop clear awareness, and cultivate compassion. They naturally support one another.
Can Qigong help with severe emotional stress, like chronic anxiety or deep fear?
Yes. In this article, we looked at how Taoism addresses fear through grounding the body and supporting Kidney energy, while Buddhism teaches us to observe fear without getting trapped by it. Emei Qigong combines both: it gives you physical movements to calm your nervous system and meditative tools to shift your emotional state, making it a very thorough approach to stress relief.
I’m completely new to both meditation and energy work. Is this post’s approach too advanced for me?
Not at all. The underlying philosophies may sound deep, but the actual practice of Emei Qigong is designed to be simple, accessible, and natural. You don’t need any prior knowledge of Taoism or Buddhism to feel the physical and emotional benefits of the practice from your very first session.
Continue Your Qigong Journey
Taoism and Buddhism offer two beautiful ways of understanding life, practice, healing, and inner cultivation. In Emei Qigong, these teachings come alive through movement, breath, meditation, healing sounds, Qi cultivation, and compassionate awareness.
If you would like to explore these practices more deeply, visit the Healing with Qi Practice Library , where you can access guided Qigong practices, class replays, healing sounds, meditation training, and step-by-step instruction.
You can also view our current online and in-person offerings on the Qigong Class Schedule .
Qigong Philosophy, History & Lineage
Qigong is more than gentle movement and breathing. It is rooted in a rich tradition of Chinese philosophy, healing wisdom, meditation, energy cultivation, and lineage-based practice.
This category explores the deeper roots of Qigong, including Taoist and Buddhist influences, Yin and Yang, Traditional Chinese Medicine, karma, spiritual cultivation, and the Emei Qigong lineage. These articles help explain where Qigong comes from, how it developed, and why its teachings remain meaningful for health, healing, and inner balance today.
About The Author
Stan Pannone is a 14th Generation Qigong Master. He recently completed his Level 7 Training with Grandmaster Fu Wei Zhong, the 13th Lineage Holder of Emei Qigong.
Stan teaches a full schedule of online and in-Person Classes, Seminars, and Training. He is also available for Private Training and Healing Sessions.
If you have any questions, or wish to know more about Stan's services and what he offers, don't hesitate to contact him directly. He'll be more than happy to assist you.
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