Is Tai chi a Religion?

No, it certainly is not.

Due to the cultural landscape in the part of China where tai chi developed, the influences of Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism can be seen in many aspects of the art. The naming and numbering of the movements reflect an awareness of Buddhist and Daoist cosmology. The ethics and philosophical concepts reflect principles common to all three schools of thought. The etiquette practised in many classes reflects Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist, and in some cases, communist or Maoist ideology. And, of course, the philosophy of yin and yang is fundamental to the understanding of tai chi theory.

But when tai chi migrates to other countries and is adopted by other cultures, the influence of local culture and religion often takes over. There can be christian tai chi schools, as well as muslim, hindu, athiest and agnostic tai chi schools. The art uses whatever language, tools, and cultural references best serve the student.

Tai chi, like many arts, has travelled the world and been translated into many different languages, and transferred to different religious and cultural contexts. The art itself is not a religion. It is an art form and a tool for self improvement.

The misguided notion that tai chi is a religion is partly due to the use of it by certain cultish religious groups. One example is the "Taoist Tai Chi Society", which teaches a strange form derived from Yang/Wu style, and invented in the 1970's and 80's. The style seems to have been developed as a fundraising vehicle for a Taoist Temple. But this religious connection is not characteristic of traditional tai chi, any more than the style is. In fact, the style itself, which they call "Taoist Tai Chi" has very little in common with traditional tai chi.