who do good and punish those who do evil. This tradition can be traced back to Song dynasty Daoist Li Ying-chang and his Laozu Treatise on the Response of the Dao (T'ai-shang kan-ying p'ien). Li sparked a popular movement which focused on the everyday life of ordinary persons instead of on temples, monasteries and sages. At the core of this tradition is living in harmony with the Dao and with the Way of Heaven (Tian) - which means acting with benevolence, kindness and compassion. Doing evil is considered a transgression against the way and this evil will be punished by deities, celestial ministers and judges. These ideas are quite ancient, the Taiping Jing (Scripture of Great Peace) states: "accumulate good deeds, and prosperity will come to you from the Dao". Besides wealth and prosperity, Karmic Daoism also believes that doing good increases longevity, while doing evil decreases it. Another common idea in this group of Daoist traditions is that there deities, like the Kitchen Lord, who monitor our actions and report to Heaven and the Jade Emperor (who tallies them and metes out punishment and reward). Karmic Daoism is a non-sectarian tradition adopted by many Daoist sects. The Laozu Treatise on the Response of the Dao is studied in Quanzhen Daoism, Hsien-t'ien Dao and in the Wu-Liu sect. All major schools of Daoism view ethics as the foundation for spirituality. Furthermore, there are those who are not affiliated with a Daoist sect who may still follow Karmic Daoism in daily life. See also Bagua Baopuzi Chinese culture Chinese ritual mastery traditions Dragon Gate Taoism Five precepts (Taoism) Hong Kong Taoist Association Lingbao School Neidan Pu (Taoism) Qingjing Jing Quanzhen Taoism Shangqing School Taiji Tao Te Ching Taoism in Hong Kong Taoism in Malaysia Taoism in Singapore Taoism in Vietnam Taoist Church of Italy Taoist coin charm Taoist diet Taoist music Taoist schools Taoist Tai Chi Ten precepts (Taoism) Way of the Celestial Masters Way of the Five Pecks of Rice Yao Taoism Zhengyi Taoism Zhizha Taoism and Confucianism References Citations General sources Further reading The Taoist Translations of Thomas Cleary: A Reader’s Guide. Shambala Publications. —with Pinyin transcription, interlinear and literary translation, contains a complete dictionary of the book Zhuangzi and a concordance to Laozi. Popular (non-academic) interpretations of Taoism The Tao of Steve, a 2000 film directed by Jenniphr Goodman and starring Donal Logue. External links BBC religions –