An Overview of the Development of Taoism History
Quanzhen Taoism, also known as "Quanzhen Jiao" or the "Complete Perfection Sect," is one of the main schools of Taoism. It was founded by Wang Zhe (1113-1170), known as Zhongyang, a native of Xianyang, Shaanxi. After several years of teaching and converting disciples, Wang Zhe gathered seven disciples, who became known as the "Seven True Ones of the North." These seven disciples—Ma Jue, Tan Chuduan, Qiu Chujian, Liu Chuxuan, Wang Chuyi, Hao Datong, and Sun Buer—formed the core of the Quanzhen school. Wang Zhe and his disciples established several teaching centers in places such as Wendeng, Ninghai, Fushan, Dengzhou, and Laizhou, where they began to attract attention for their ascetic practices. The Quanzhen school's core teachings emphasize the return to one's true nature and spiritual purity, with the goal of achieving self-realization and inner peace.
Zhengyi Taoism (Orthodox Unity Sect)
Zhengyi Taoism, also known as the “Zhengyi Sect,” is a collective term for various Taoist sects that practice talismanic rites. It is the direct successor of the early Taoist schools established during the Eastern Han period. Zhengyi Taoism evolved on the basis of the long-standing traditions of the Tianshi Dao (Celestial Master Dao) and Longhu Sect, with the Longhu Sect as its central pillar. It integrated multiple talismanic schools into a prominent sect, which was fully established during the later Yuan dynasty and has continued to this day. The sect reveres the “Zhengyi Jing” (Canon of the Orthodox Unity) as its primary scripture, and its major practices involve drawing talismans, reciting incantations, exorcising evil spirits, and praying for blessings or disaster relief. Over time, it absorbed practices from other Taoist schools, including thunder magic and internal alchemy. Despite being ritualistically elaborate, these practices gained popularity due to their practicality, appealing both to the ruling authorities and the general public.
Zhengyi Taoist priests, known as “Huoju Daoists,” are allowed to practice at home, marry, and have children. Unlike other Taoist sects that impose strict asceticism, Zhengyi priests are not prohibited from consuming meat, and their primary focus is on the ritual practices of talismans, exorcisms, and blessings.
In 1948, Zhang Enpu, the 63rd Celestial Master, went to Taiwan with the Kuomintang, marking the beginning of the Zhengyi Taoist lineage’s transmission in Taiwan.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Zhengyi sect experienced some restoration and development. Its main centers include Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi, Maoshan in Jiangsu, Wudang Mountain in Hubei, as well as places such as Shanghai and Suzhou. Among them, Longhu Mountain is considered the ancestral home of the Zhengyi sect. Since 1991, it has held many ritual ceremonies and ordination services for Taoists both domestically and internationally. In Wudang Mountain, the “Taoist Traditional Medicine Research Institute” and the “Taoist Traditional Medicine Association” were established in 1991 to continue the Taoist tradition of herbal medicine. These centers have broad connections with Taoist scholars in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and other regions.
The sect also includes a significant number of wandering Taoist priests who rely on religious activities to earn a living. These practitioners do not have fixed places for religious gatherings and often do not belong to any specific religious organization.
Quanzhen Taoism (Complete Perfection Sect)
Quanzhen Taoism, also known as “Quanzhen Jiao” or the “Complete Perfection Sect,” is one of the main schools of Taoism. It was founded by Wang Zhe (1113-1170), known as Zhongyang, a native of Xianyang, Shaanxi. After several years of teaching and converting disciples, Wang Zhe gathered seven disciples, who became known as the “Seven True Ones of the North.” These seven disciples—Ma Jue, Tan Chuduan, Qiu Chujian, Liu Chuxuan, Wang Chuyi, Hao Datong, and Sun Buer—formed the core of the Quanzhen school. Wang Zhe and his disciples established several teaching centers in places such as Wendeng, Ninghai, Fushan, Dengzhou, and Laizhou, where they began to attract attention for their ascetic practices. The Quanzhen school’s core teachings emphasize the return to one’s true nature and spiritual purity, with the goal of achieving self-realization and inner peace.
The teachings of Quanzhen Taoism are based on the principles of the Tao Te Ching and Confucian classics. It advocates a life of simplicity, humility, and purity, emphasizing meditation, self-cultivation, and ethical behavior over the more ritualistic and alchemical practices of Taoism. The main practices involve cultivating the mind and body, living with few desires, and performing good deeds. The Quanzhen Taoists adhere to a rigorous code of conduct that includes fasting, celibacy, and ascetic practices as part of their spiritual journey.
After the death of Wang Zhongyang in 1170, the Seven True Ones spread the teachings and established their own schools. The most notable of these were the Longmen Sect founded by Qiu Chujian and the Maoshan Sect founded by Ma Jue. By the 13th century, during the reign of Genghis Khan, Qiu Chujian was appointed as the head of all Taoist priests in the empire, and Taoist monasteries were granted tax exemptions. This marked the beginning of Quanzhen Taoism’s dominance in Taoist religious life, with Quanzhen priests living in monasteries and following strict codes of conduct.
Today, Quanzhen Taoism has spread both in the north and the south of China. In the north, notable centers include Baiyun Guan in Beijing, Qingcheng Mountain in Sichuan, Taiqing Palace in Shenyang, and the Bixia Shrine in Mount Tai. Many Taoists in these regions continue to follow the traditional practices of wearing robes, growing their hair, and abstaining from meat. Southern Taoist temples, such as the Chongxu Ancient Temple in Luofu Mountain, have closer ties to Taoist communities in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
Quanzhen Taoists live a celibate, vegetarian lifestyle and engage in deep spiritual cultivation in monasteries. They are typically referred to as “monastic Taoists.