Taoism (Daoism)

History of Taoism

The beginnings of Taoism lie in Chinese antiquity, when this stream of thought first took shape. It was an oral tradition at first, transmitted and developed by masters, but not yet recognized as a religion of its own. The first written works, ascribed to Laozi and Zhuangzi, emerged around 400 BCE. But it was not until the 2nd century BCE that historians listed Taoism (Daojia) as one of six religious schools in China.

The first successful attempt at organizing a Taoist religious system started in 142 CE, when Laozi appeared to the hermit Zhang Daoling to announce the end of the world, which would be followed by an age of great peace (taiping). Zhang founded a movement known as the “way of the Celestial Masters” (Tianshi Dao) that successfully established a “ Celestial Master state” during the later Han dynasty. The rulers of the Wei dynasty (220–280 CE) broke up the state, thus dispersing Celestial Master followers throughout China and setting a foundation for the movement's enduring strength. More individualistic Shangqing Taoism (“way of highest clarity”) and Buddhist-influenced Lingbao Taoism were other important movements of this period.

During the Tang dynasty (618–906 CE) Taoist philosophy assumed a leading role. The imperial family venerated Laozi as one of their ancestors, ordering his veneration by imperial decree. Taoists attempted to attain immortality or longevity through the ingestion of herbs and minerals (external alchemy). These studies led to the death of numerous followers and to the invention of gunpowder as a side effect.

Taoist philosophical tradition also provided the foundation for the reception of Buddhism in China. Buddhists' ideas such as the concept of karma, rebirth, and hell were accepted into Taoism, and the Buddhist sect of Chan (in Japanese, Zen) shows strong Taoist influences.

As Confucianism grew stronger during the Five Dynasties (907–960) and Songpenods (960–1279), the different religions interacted increasingly. Taoists tried to harmonize the “three teachings” (Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism), most prominently in the Taoist Quanzhen school (“complete perfection school”) founded by Wang Chongyang (1113–1170). Taoists created monasteries and started to adopt monastic ways of life as displayed by Buddhist monks.

Instead of external alchemy, Quanzhen Taoists turned to internal alchemy in their pursuit of longevity. Through internal cultivation, the followers tried to harmonize themselves with the Tao, thus postponing or even avoiding death.

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