One day, Li set out to visit the founder of Taoism, Laozi, in the realm of gods and immortals.

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But Pan Yue, the best-known advocate of green concerns within the Chinese government, says ancient creeds, like Taoism, offer the best hope of making people treat the earth more kindly.

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In 1991, Lin founded the Hua Shan Forum, a private educational institute offering free classes in the Chinese classics, Taoism, and Buddhism.

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Drawing on the meditative traditions of Buddhism and Taoism, combined with deep-breathing and martial-arts exercises, it may seem somewhat cranky to non-adherents, and no doubt it has attracted its share of charlatans and crooks.

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Tieshan said his eight-member delegation, appointed by the Chinese government, includes representatives from Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism and Islam.

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Religious and ethical beliefs are approached in much the same way as dim sum, with samplings from Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.

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Nevertheless, many Chinese are looking to Buddhism, Taoism and even brand-new religions to slake a thirst that all the Cokes in the world won't abate.

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