History of Taoism

Philosphical Taoism is the older form of Taoism that sprung up around 2500 years ago in Ancient China. Over time, Taoism was mixed with Chinese folk religion and came to become religious Taoism, formally coming into existence around 200 AD.

5th-3rd century BCE

Lao Tzu, a legendary figure accredited with writing the book 'Tao Te Ching', the core text of Taoism. It introduced the concept of the Tao, the principle for all existence.

Zhuangzi

Zhuang Zhou introduced concepts like key Taoist views on spontaneity (Ziran) and relativity (i.e. long can't exist without short) with his book of the same name, Zhuangzi.

3rd-2nd century BCE

Taoism started to get mixed with legalism, blending the ideas of Laozi and the legendary Yellow Emperor/Huangdi (seen as initiatior of Chinese culture) and applying them to governance. This school of thought is known as Huang (Yellow Emperor) - Lao (Laozi). The basic idea was that a government should have minimal interference and allow as much flexibility to the people with decentralized rule and light taxes under the Han dynasty.

2nd century CE

The Celestial Masters organization founded by Zhang Daoling established the first ever organized Taoist religious organization. The Celestial Masters adopted both Chinese folk religion, created priests and established communal worship of various gods.

4th-5th century CE

The establishment of 'Upper Clarity' and 'Numinous Treasure' schools introduced meditation, the use of alchemy and rituals. Through rituals and meditation, you could align your body and mind with the flow of the Tao.

Buddhist and Confucian principles were introduced to religious Taoism around this point as well.

5th-9th century CE

Taoism flourished as the emperors of the Tang dynasty promoted Taoism on a state-level, making it the state religion. They claimed Laozi as an ancestor of imperial lineage.

Taoist Canons were established, collections containing hundreds of scriptures located in Taoist monestaries

9-12th century CE

Outer Alchemy, which contained mercury resulting in the deaths of various Taoists became replaced by Inner Alchemy which focused more on the building up of inner energy

12th century CE

The Complete Perfection school was founded around this time. It set a heavy emphasis on discipline, meditation and monasticism (i.e. monkhood, devoting yourself to religion). The late 12th century saw the rise of the Yuan, a Mongol-led state encompassing China Proper. The school was popularized by Qiu Chuji, and, with his help, managed to sway Genghis Khan into giving imperial protection.

the Zhengyi School was more dominant in southern China which focused more on rituals and exorcism

12th-16th century

The mid 13th century saw the overthrowing of the Yuan dynasty and was replaced by the Ming. The Ming significantly reduced Taoist political influence. Taoists priests (daoshi) became more and more connection with villages, overseeing funerals, festivals and exorcisms.

16th-19th century

Qing in its early stages viewed millenarian sects of Taoism like the White Lotus Society who believed that the Future Buddha would return to Earth to bring peace and justice. Suspicion became justified when the White Lotus society fueled the White Lotus Rebellion against the Qing, which lasted from 1796-1804.

Monestaries became less strict, with some monks adopting the lay lifestyles (living at home whilst dedicating yourself to religion)

Early to mid 20th century

The early Chinese nationalist governments saw Taoism as nothing more but supersition. Temples were destroyed or closed down.

Cities saw a rapid decline of Taoist populations while rural areas remained Taoist

(Some) Taoist scholars tried to establish a more modern, nationalist Taoism integrating science into teachings

Post mid 20th century

During 1949 it became clear that the PRC was going to win the civil war fought out between the PRC and the Kuomintang. Mao Zedong treated Taoism with hostility, religion as a whole being seen as superstition similar to the Nationalists. Post-Mao in the 1980s saw a Taoist resurgence with the government in charge being more lentient towards Taoists.

Today, Taoist monks advocate and side with evironmentalist concerns, in line with the Taoist 'harmony with nature' stance.