Origins of Taoism
Beginning
Taoism has no founder and no founding date because it came from many religious and philosophical traditions in Ancient China. Some include Shamanism and nature religion.
Taoism as a religion started in 142C.E. with the creation of the "Tao" or the "way". Taoism was first recognized during the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE when the Tao Te Ching started spreading and providing a focus for Taoist thinkers. The Tao Te Ching is a philosophical and political text written by Lao Tzu, who is believed to be the "respected father" of Taoism. Early Taoism came from the merging of ideas and local religious rituals and beliefs. Then came the integration of Taoism into the world views of Chinese people.
Establishment
Taoism became a semi-official religion during the Tang Dnasty and continued within the Song Dynasty. However, Confucianism started gaining momentum and Taoism was out of favor.
Fall
During the communist takeover in 1949, Taoism was banned and the followers were forced to abandon the religion. Taoists were heavily persecuted and through this, the number of Taoists decreased by a large amount, 99%, in only ten years. In Taiwan, however, this religion continued to flourish.
Taoism encountered another setback during the Cultural Revolution, which occurred from 1966 to 1976, when Taoists were eliminated once again.
Revival
Taoism revived after the end of the Cultural Revolution when the Chinese government started to allow some religious freedom. Since then, Taoism has been restored and gained popularity with many practitioners. Taoism evolved in response to changing times, with its doctrine and associated practices being revised and refined. The acceptance of Taoism by the ruling class has waxed and waned, alternately enjoying periods of favor and rejection.
Most recently, Taoism has emerged from a period of suppression and is undergoing a revival in China.
Taoism has no founder and no founding date because it came from many religious and philosophical traditions in Ancient China. Some include Shamanism and nature religion.
Taoism as a religion started in 142C.E. with the creation of the "Tao" or the "way". Taoism was first recognized during the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE when the Tao Te Ching started spreading and providing a focus for Taoist thinkers. The Tao Te Ching is a philosophical and political text written by Lao Tzu, who is believed to be the "respected father" of Taoism. Early Taoism came from the merging of ideas and local religious rituals and beliefs. Then came the integration of Taoism into the world views of Chinese people.
Establishment
Taoism became a semi-official religion during the Tang Dnasty and continued within the Song Dynasty. However, Confucianism started gaining momentum and Taoism was out of favor.
Fall
During the communist takeover in 1949, Taoism was banned and the followers were forced to abandon the religion. Taoists were heavily persecuted and through this, the number of Taoists decreased by a large amount, 99%, in only ten years. In Taiwan, however, this religion continued to flourish.
Taoism encountered another setback during the Cultural Revolution, which occurred from 1966 to 1976, when Taoists were eliminated once again.
Revival
Taoism revived after the end of the Cultural Revolution when the Chinese government started to allow some religious freedom. Since then, Taoism has been restored and gained popularity with many practitioners. Taoism evolved in response to changing times, with its doctrine and associated practices being revised and refined. The acceptance of Taoism by the ruling class has waxed and waned, alternately enjoying periods of favor and rejection.
Most recently, Taoism has emerged from a period of suppression and is undergoing a revival in China.
