Taoism and Daoism are essentially the same philosophy and religion, but they are spelled differently due to the variations in Romanization systems.
Taoism is the older and more commonly used spelling in English, derived from the Wade-Giles Romanization system. Daoism, on the other hand, comes from the Pinyin Romanization system, which is the standard system used in Mainland China today.
Both terms refer to the same ancient Chinese tradition that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (or Dao), which means ‘the Way.’ The Tao is the fundamental principle that is the source of all existence and the natural order of the universe.
In practice, Taoism/Daoism involves various rituals, meditation practices, and a focus on simplicity, humility, and compassion. The core texts, such as the Tao Te Ching and the Zhuangzi, provide guidance on how to live a balanced and harmonious life.
In summary, the difference between Taoism and Daoism is purely linguistic, stemming from different methods of transliterating Chinese characters into the Latin alphabet. The philosophy and practices remain the same regardless of the spelling.