Founding period - Eastern Han
Taoism became a formal religion. It began in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Its theories and methods can be traced back to the ancient times of ghost worship, yin and yang five elements, Lao Zhuang Taoism and Huang Laoxue, various fairy tales and witchcraft. These thoughts provided the theoretical basis for Taoism, and finally produced the Taoist original classic Taiping Jing in the Eastern Han Dynasty (126-144 AD), which prepared a classic basis for the establishment of Taoism.
The gradual formation of Taoism in the Eastern Han Dynasty is inseparable from the social background of the Han Dynasty. The rulers of the Han Dynasty were very enthusiastic about the fairy tales, the theology of theology and the study of the essays, and the whole society was full of religious theology. In addition, the social contradictions intensified at that time: the landlord's tyrannical merger and acquisition of the land, the court was monopolized by the sullen nephews and eunuchs, the social crisis was deep, the people's lives were hard, and they were eager for spiritual energy, which led to the organization of the early Taoism: Zhang Jiao's Taiping Dao and Zhang Ling's Wu Dou Mi Road.
Development period——Wei Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties
After the founding of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Taoism gradually developed into a complete religion during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. During the Cao Wei period, the ruling class restricted the development of Taoism to prevent the Taoist organization from becoming a tool to overthrow the court. In the Southern and Northern Dynasties, in order to adapt to the needs of the upper rulers and stimulated by Buddhism, Taoism thought began to form a more systematic theoretical system and canonical teachings, sorted out Taoist classics, and reorganized Taoism organizations to make Taoism develop with the ruling class and feudal rituals. Coordination, and gradually developed into a more mature religion.
Prosperous period - Sui and Tang Dynasties
The Taoism in the Sui and Tang Dynasties was further developed on the basis of continuing the Taoism of the Northern and Southern Dynasties. In particular, the royal family of the Tang Dynasty recognized Laozi as the ancestor, and Laozi was established as the ancestor of Taoism. Therefore, Taoism was popular through this special relationship. On behalf of Taoism, in the aspects of teaching, sectarianism, methods of cultivation, rituals of rituals and social influences, they have been further developed.
Convergence period - Song Yuan
During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the rise of Confucianism in the Song Dynasty stimulated the in-depth development of Taoism. Zhang Boduan of the Northern Song Dynasty further deepened and perfected the Taoist Inner Danology. The Inner Dandao created by it was called "Nan Zong", and later Wang Chongyang created all Zhenne Dandao is known as the “Northern Zong”. The political situation of the Southern Song Dynasty and the confrontation between the North and the South prompted Taoism to be divided into two north and south sects. The new Taoist factions have sprung up, establishing their own teaching system, and a number of new Taoist classics have appeared. One and the whole truth became the two main factions of Taoism.
Fading period - Ming and Qing
The Taoism tends to stagnate and decline during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It only reluctantly inherited the Taoist tradition since the Song and Yuan Dynasties and failed to develop creatively. The rulers of the Ming and Qing Dynasties no longer worship and vigorously support Taoism, but strengthen control and prevention. Taoism itself has also reached its peak in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. It is difficult to have new creations. Only a small number of new Taoists have emerged, such as the Ming Dynasty. Zhang Danfeng created Wudang Road, Lu Xixing created the Inner Dan Road East School and the Qing Dynasty Li Hanxu created the Inner Dan Road West School and so on.
Update period - contemporary
In modern times, the famous high-ranking Chen Yining once rumored the Taoist "Xianxue", let people know that even in the modern society with a high degree of scientific development, the inner sect of Taoism in Taoism is still an irreplaceable scientific development. The study of one has great significance and eternal value. In May 1957, the Chinese Taoist Association was established by Chen Taoning, Yue Chongxi and Yi Xinying and other Chinese Taoist circles. The meeting was located in Beijing Baiyunguan. During the Cultural Revolution, the development of Taoism was depreciated, and by the end of the 1970s it began to re-enter the track of normal development. As an important part of Chinese traditional culture, Taoism still has a major impact on Chinese people's ideological concepts, cultural life, psychological habits and thinking patterns.