Taoism is an important component of traditional Chinese culture, with numerous schools and a long history. Here are some introductions to the main schools of Taoism:
Zhengyi faction
Origin and Characteristics: Zhengyi School, also known as Zhengyi Dao or Tian Shi Dao, was originally called Wu Dou Mi Dao and founded by Zhang Daoling in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. The believers of Zhengyi Road are required to offer five dou of rice to the leader, hence the name ‘Five dou of Rice Road’. The descendants of Zhang Daoling are revered as “Heavenly Masters” and have been passed down from generation to generation, forming the system of Heavenly Master Dao.
Doctrine and Activities: The Zhengyi sect mainly emphasizes rituals such as talismans and fasting ceremonies. Believers communicate with the gods through prayer, worship, and other activities to seek protection. The classics of the Zhengyi school mainly include the “Zhengyi Jing”, which emphasizes the inheritance of blood relationships, especially close kinship relationships.
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Quanzhen Sect
Origin and Characteristics: Quanzhen School is one of the important schools of Taoism, founded by Wang Chongyang of the Jin Dynasty. Quanzhen Taoist monks enter the monastic world for spiritual cultivation, emphasizing the cultivation of inner alchemy and advocating for dual cultivation of life and soul, with the cultivation of true nature as the correct path. The Quanzhen Sect does not practice talismans or talk about immortality, but emphasizes the practical operation of cultivation, advocates monasticism, and establishes a Taoist system.
Tribes and Development: There are many sects under the Quanzhen Sect, such as the Longmen Sect, Huashan Sect, Jingjing Sect, etc. Among them, the Longmen Sect is one of the most prosperous branches of the Quanzhen Sect, founded by Qiu Chuji. The Quanzhen sect developed rapidly after the Yuan Dynasty and became an important force in Chinese Taoism.
Lingbao Sect
Origin and Characteristics: The Lingbao School, also known as the “Ge Family Way”, was founded by Ge Chaofu in the late Eastern Jin Dynasty, who regarded Ge Xuan as the founder of the Lingbao School. The main classics of the Lingbao Sect are the “Lingbao Wufu Jing” and the “Lingbao Duren Jing”, which worship the Heavenly Sovereign of Yuanshi, the Grand Master of Tai Dao, and the Grand Master of Tai Lao as the highest gods. The Lingbao Sect emphasizes the cultivation of Lingbao Dafa to achieve the state of unity with the Tao and pursue longevity and longevity.
Shangqing Sect
Origin and Characteristics: The Shangqing School was founded by Yang Xi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and was named after its specialized dissemination of the refined “Shangqing Jing”. The Shangqing School regards Wei Huacun, the wife of Nanyue, as its ancestor and emphasizes the cultivation of its own essence and spirit. It cultivates immortality by consuming the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, as well as the true essence of the gods. The cultivation methods of the Shangqing school include meditation, breathing regulation, and visualization, emphasizing inner peace and spiritual transcendence.
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Lou Guan Pai
Origin and Characteristics: The Lou Guan School, also known as the Wen Shi School or Yin Xi School, was one of the early Taoist sects. The Lou Guan Sect is located at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain in Zhouzhi, Shaanxi Province. Yin Xi built a thatched hut here to observe celestial phenomena, hence the name “Cao Lou Guan”. The Lou Guan School believes in the philosophy of Laozi and regards him as the ancestor, mainly spreading in the northern Guanlong region. The main classics upheld by the Lou Guan School include the Tao Te Ching and the Nan Hua Zhen Jing, which mainly expound on the Tao of Laozi.
In addition to the main sects mentioned above, Taoism also has multiple sects such as Tai Yi Dao, Dan Ding Sect (Jin Dan Sect), Fu Huang Sect, Lu Shan Sect, and Bei Di Sect. These sects each have their own characteristics, some emphasize inner alchemy and soul sublimation (such as the Tai Yi Dao and Dan Ding sects), some focus on talismans and fasting rituals (such as the Fu Gui sect), and some integrate Taoist, Confucian, and shamanistic thinking (such as the Lu Shan sect).
There are many schools of Taoism, each with its own unique methods of practice and interpretations of doctrine. These factions together constitute the rich and diverse cultural connotations and unique religious system of Taoism. With the development of history, some factions gradually declined, while some branches of orthodox Taoism gradually grew stronger.