Origins and Historical Events
"He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know"
-Laozi
-Laozi
Origins
Daoism was not created on one specific date by a specific person. It was rather a result of preexisting Chinese philosophies and folk religions (such as shamanism) combining together. Nevertheless, the Daoism today is considered by many to have been created by Laozi, the author of Tao Te Ching, who established a focus of study for the future generations of Daoists. Many aspects of Daoism, however, can be traced back way further before Laozi wrote his teachings. The spiritual, not philosophical, part of Daoism such as the spirits and Feng Shui, a Chinese system of geomancy, were present before the creation of Tao Te Ching.
Historical Events
The history of Daoism can be divided into four divisions: Proto-Daoism, Classical Daoism, Modern Daoism and Contemporary Daoism. However, it does not mean that Daoism has been steadily developing in a linear fashion towards some ideal state, nor is it mean that the one period is better than the other. Daoism has no single founder nor a single key message. Daoism bears witness to a history of continuous self-invention within a vast diversity of environmental contexts.
The Proto Daoism: The Philosophical Daoism
Proto Daoism is the period from antiquity to 2nd century C.E.. No knowledge of any formal Daoist religious organizations was established at this time. The most influential Daoist text, Tao Te Ching, was written and the second most influential philosopher, Zhuangzhi, had existed in this period. These affected upon the flourishing of the classical Daoist tradition. Many textbooks on world religion takes this period as representing the essence of Daoism but this is misinterpretation of the whole history of Daoism, since Daoism did not develop throughout the time but just modified or changed its form.
The Classical Daoism: Era of Celestial Masters
The Classical Daoism starts in 142 C.E. with establishment of the Way of the Celestial Masters. It is the period when the first successfully organized Daoist religious system was established. Today’s Daoist priests claim to be ordained from the Way of the Celestial Masters. Besides the Way of the Celestial Masters, few other movements were developed. Scholars of Daoism call this era as the Classical Daoism, because there are many Daoist practices developed and many texts and rituals initially took shape in this period. Also, during this period, Buddhism was brought to China by missionaries from India and Tibet. Buddhism and Daoism observed their ideas at certain point,
but also there were some period of intense rivalry between them. The classical period of Daoism ends with the Tang dynasty (618-906), one of the high-points of Chinese civilization with developed art and culture. During the Tang dynasty Daoism became fully integrated with the imperial court system; it functioned as the official religion of the imperial court and exerted complete supremacy over Buddhism.
but also there were some period of intense rivalry between them. The classical period of Daoism ends with the Tang dynasty (618-906), one of the high-points of Chinese civilization with developed art and culture. During the Tang dynasty Daoism became fully integrated with the imperial court system; it functioned as the official religion of the imperial court and exerted complete supremacy over Buddhism.
The Modern Daoism: The Way of Complete Perfection
During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Modern Daoism was developed. In this period, the Daoism becomes increasingly difficult to separate out Daoism as a religious category from the popular Chinese religious culture as it functions on the ground. The most significant feature of this period is the founding of the Way of Complete Perfection, which becomes the base of today’s Daoism. The Way of Complete Perfection is devoted to the practice of internal alchemy, in which the energies of the body are refined through breathing and other forms of meditation
into ever subtler forms, thus promoting longevity. In the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) Daoist ideas and practices became more entrenched in popular religious culture. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that we have better historical evidence of the way popular religion functioned since many popular Daoist morality texts were published and the practice of Daoist-inspired arts such as Tai Chi and Qigong became increasingly widespread.
into ever subtler forms, thus promoting longevity. In the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) Daoist ideas and practices became more entrenched in popular religious culture. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that we have better historical evidence of the way popular religion functioned since many popular Daoist morality texts were published and the practice of Daoist-inspired arts such as Tai Chi and Qigong became increasingly widespread.
Contemporary Daoism: Near Destruction and Revival
Since 1949, Daoism went under a near-total catastrophe. Especially during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), there was a movement to completely destroy Daoism in mainland China. Masters were killed or re-educated to not to believe in Taoism. Entire lineages were broken up and their texts, temples, and followers are destroyed. However, Daoism survived as a philosophical and cultural system dissolved into the lives of Chinese. Also, through the emigration of many Chinese, Daoism was spread throughout the world. Daoism survived through Daoist practices such as Tai Chi and Qigong in the west. Since 1980, Daoism has begun to be practiced openly again in China and a new generation of Daoists are struggling to rebuild their temples and recover their tradition. Today, there are movement of revival of its practice and study in several new University institutes in China.