Taoist schools

A monk of the Quanzhen school of Mount Tai, in Shandong.
Taiping dajiao ritual based on the Taipingjing performed at a Tianhou temple in Hong Kong.
Taoist ritual in Fanling Wai.

Taoism is a religion with many schools or denominations, of which none occupies a position of orthodoxy.[1] Taoist branches usually build their identity around a set of scriptures, that are manuals of ritual practices.[2] Scriptures are considered "breathwork", that is "configurations of energy" (qi), embodiments of "celestial patterns" (tianwen),[3] or "revelations of structures" (li).[4]

The earliest Taoist schools emerged during the late Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 CE).[5] They blossomed especially in the region of Shu, modern-day Sichuan.[6] From the 12th and 13th century onwards several smaller branches merged in larger ones, but in turn side-schools developed around the large traditions.[7] In modern times the existing schools tend to be classified under few overarching headings, in most cases two: Quanzhen Taoism and Zhengyi Taoism.

Chronology of major schools[8]

Eastern Han period (25–220) to Tang period (618-907): development of the Taiping, Celestial Masters and Zhengyi schools.

Eastern Jin period (317–420) and Southern dynasties period (420-589): development of the Shangqing and Lingbao branches.

Jurchen Jin period (1115–1234): development of the Quanzhen branch.

Southern Song period (1127–1279): Tianxin, Shenxiao, Qingwei, Donghua and Jingming branches.

16th and 17th centuries: Wuliu.

Other schools[9]

Newest schools:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Qing Xitai, 1994.
  2. ↑ Andersen, Reiter. 2005.
  3. ↑ Andersen, Reiter. 2005. p. 77
  4. ↑ Andersen, Reiter. 2005. p. 78
  5. ↑ Qing Xitai, 1994.
  6. ↑ Qing Xitai, 1994.
  7. ↑ Qing Xitai, 1994.
  8. ↑ Qing Xitai, 1994.
  9. ↑ Qing Xitai, 1994.

Sources

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