The Five Great Dao Sects of Taoism

Zhang Lu, the grandson of Zhang Daoling, originally lived in Hanzhong. At the end of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Sheng, the fourth generation of heavenly masters, moved to Longhu Mountain in Guixi, Jiangxi. The "Five Pecks of Rice Road" spread in the Jiangnan area, which was the beginning of the Longhu Mountain Sect of Taoism. . By the end of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the name "Tianshi Dao" had replaced the "Five Pecks of Rice Dao".

In the history of Taoism, there are five sects that have spawned due to different sources of "Tao Dharma inheritance": Zhang Jiyu: Vice President of the China Taoist Association and member of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress. Vice Chairman of the All-China Youth Federation.

Zhang Jintao: Chairman of Tianshi Mansion and representative of the National People's Congress.

Zhang Jinhua: President of the World Yijing Feng Shui Research Institute, designer of the emblem of Guixi when the county was removed and established as a city. According to "Yuan Shi Shi Lao Zhi" records: "Zhengtianshi started from Zhang Daoling of the Han Dynasty. The following four generations were called Sheng, and they came to live in Longhu Mountain of Xin. According to legend, the thirty-sixth generation of Zongyan was in the 13th year of the Yuan Dynasty ( AD 1276), the ancestors of the Qing Dynasty had conquered the south of the Yangtze River and sent envoys to summon him. When he arrived, he ordered his court officials to serve him and treat him as a guest. He was given a jade hibiscus crown and gold seamless clothes, and he was ordered to lead the Taoism in the south of the Yangtze River. He was also given a silver seal... …The descendants hereditarily led Jiangnan Taoism and were in charge of the three mountain talismans." This was the beginning of Master Zhang Tian of Longhu Mountain being known as "Zhengyi Zhenren". "Tongjian Jilan" states: "The ancestor of the Yuan Dynasty issued an edict to confer Zhang Zongyan as the Celestial Master of the Han Dynasty, Yan Dao Ling Yingchong and Zhenren." This was actually the beginning of the hereditary Celestial Master of the Zhang family. According to the "History of the Yuan Dynasty - The Benji of Chengzong", in the eighth year of Emperor Chengzong's reign in the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1304), Zhang Zongyan's second son Zhang Yucai (the 38th generation Celestial Master) was awarded the title of "Zhengyi leader, in charge of the three mountain talismans". From then on, "Tianshi Dao" was also known as Zhengyijiao and Zhengyiyi.

The "History of the Ming Dynasty? Fang Ji Zhuan" says that most Taoist priests of the Zhengyi sect "specialize in holding talismans and praying for rain to drive away ghosts." Generally speaking, the Zhengyi sect is mainly engaged in talismans and ritual ceremonies. Since Taoism split into sects, Hezao Mountain mainly transmits the Ge Xuan Lingbao Dharma Ribbon, which is called the Lingbao Sect; Longhu Mountain transmits the Zhang Daoling Dharma Ribbon, which is called the Zhengyi Sect; and the Jiangxi area spreads the Xu Jingyang Dharma Ribbon, which is called the Jingming Sect. These three factions later all came together as one. In the seventh year of Emperor Shizong's reign (AD 1167), Wang Hao (Double Ninth Festival) went to Ninghai, Shandong to establish Quanzhen Nunnery and founded Quanzhen Sect. His religion advocated the unity of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Wang Chongyang said: "With an upright heart, no evil will arise, and the three religions will make a family", "Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are all connected, and the three religions have always been one ancestor", "Buddhism Since Taoism, we have been one family, and there is no difference in appearance or reason between the two." He taught his disciples to recite the "Book of Filial Piety", "Heart Sutra" and "Tao Te Ching". Its religious rules are different from those of Zhengdao: no wives, no eating meat, and monks. They generally live in palaces and temples, and their main religious life content is pure cultivation.

More than ninety years before Wang Chongyang founded Quanzhen Taoism, that is, in the eighth year of Xining in the Northern Song Dynasty (1075 AD), Zhang Boduan (Ziyang), the great Taoist master of Tiantai Mountain in Zhejiang Province, based on the principles of "Shen Tongqi" He wrote the "Enlightenment Chapter" and gave rise to a school of self-refinement and cultivation that focused on cultivating one's life.

Because Wang Chongyang’s Quanzhen Taoism and Zhang Boduan’s Danding sect both focused on refining and nourishing; and both relied on Donghua Shaoyang kings Xuanfu, Zhong Liquan, and Lu Yan as their founders; and because Wang Chongyang sect It arose in the north, and the Zhang Boduan sect emerged in the south. Therefore, Wang Chongyang Quanzhen Taoism was called the northern sect of the Danding sect, and Zhang Ziyang sect was called the southern sect of the Danding sect. According to the "San Yu Zuo Bi" printed by the Ming Dynasty: "The southern sect said that the master of Shaoyang in Donghua got the way of Lao Dan, and granted Zhongli the power. The power was granted to Lu Yan, the Jinshi of the Tang Dynasty, Liu Cao, the Jinshi of the Liao Dynasty. In the Song Dynasty, Zhang Boduan was awarded Shi Tai, Tai was awarded Xue Daoguang, Daoguang was awarded Chen Nan, Nan was awarded Bai Yuchan, and Yuchan was awarded Peng Shu. The Northern Sect was called Lu Yan, who was awarded by King Chongyang of Jin, and Chongyang was awarded by Seven Disciples (i.e., Beibei). Qizhen).

The Quanzhen sect developed many branches after the Yuan Dynasty, among which the Longmen sect founded by Qiu Chuji (self-named Changchunzi) of the Yuan Dynasty was the most prosperous. In the 19th year, he was a Quanzhen Taoist and his teacher was in the snowy mountains. Qiu Changchun traveled more than ten thousand miles to ask for help from Genghis Khan. When asked about the way to bring peace, Genghis Khan thought highly of him and called him a god, so he sent envoys to praise him and ordered Qiu Changchun to lead "the good people in the world who should be monks." "Because Qiu Changchun was valued by the court and had great social influence, the Longmen sect had many followers in the Yuan Dynasty. Its real name is Daoism. The founder was Liu Deren of Cangzhou during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Jin Dynasty.

"Tongjian Collection" says:

The true Taoist teachings began with the establishment of Taoist Liu Deren in the Jin Dynasty. His teachings are based on the importance of hardship, restraint, and conduct, and should not take anything from others or be extravagant to oneself. After five chapters, he came to Li Xicheng, who lived in Tianbao Palace in Yancheng. He met Xianzong and began to name his teaching Zhendao. He was granted the title of Master Xicheng Taixuan to teach.

Liu Deren, whose Taoist name is Wuyouzi, is from Leling, Cangzhou. Born in the fourth year of Xuanhe in the Northern Song Dynasty (1122 AD). When he was six years old, he encountered the Jingkang Incident (1126-1127 AD) in which Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong of the Northern Song Dynasty were captured by the Jin people. He moved with his family to Taiping Township, Yanshan. In the second year of Emperor Tong's reign (1142 AD), Liu Deren was 21 years old. He asked Laojun to teach Taoism and founded the "Dao Sect". According to "The Story of Shu Liu Zhen" in the 55th Anniversary of Song Xueshi: "In November of the second year of the Jin Dynasty, I looked at Chi Ming, it seemed like a dream but not a dream. An old man with white eyebrows arrived in a green calf chariot and taught me the mysterious Taoist secrets. But I don't know where I am." He also said: "One morning, an old man passed by in a cart. He read the Tao Te Ching and taught him, saying: 'Those who know well can cultivate themselves and transform people'. , then handed him a pen and left. "There are nine teachings:" One is to regard things as one's own, and do not have the heart of harm and anger; the other is to be loyal to the king, filial to relatives, sincere to others, and not to use frivolous words. , speak no evil words; the third is to get rid of sexual immorality and keep quiet; the fourth is to stay away from power, be content with the poor and lowly, work hard and eat, and use what you can; the fifth is not to engage in gambling, and don’t get into the habit of stealing; the sixth is not to drink alcohol, eat meat, and eat and drink as much as possible. To be sufficient, don’t be arrogant; the seventh is to be humble and weak in ambition, to be harmonious and to be like the dust; the eighth is to not go against the strong beam, to be humble and honorable; the ninth is to be content and not humiliated, and to know how to stop is not to perish. "(ibid.) In terms of Taoist training. , advocates "see simplicity and be simple, think less and have few desires, be humble and solid, guard your energy and nourish your spirit." (Yuan Du Chengyuan's "Reconstruction of the Xiantian Palace") As for "the art of ascension and refinement, the matter of long-term vision, then He said, "I don't know." (Yuan Zhao Linqing's "Dao Yanxiang Monument") But he also engaged in driving away foxes and ghosts for others, and summoning ghosts and gods. According to "Shu Liu Zhenshi", in the fifteenth year of Dading of the Jin Dynasty (1175 AD), Liu Deren was ordered to live in Tianchangguan, Yanjing, and was given the title of Dongyue Zhenren. With this, Taoism spread more widely, and "those who preached his Tao spread all over China." Liu Deren He died in the 20th year of Dading (1180 AD) and taught for thirty-eight years. The Taoist sect was passed down to Li Xicheng five times, and was named "Zhen Dao" by Emperor Xianzong of the Yuan Dynasty. It was passed down to Sun Defu in the sixth year. In the fifth year of Zhi Yuan Dynasty (1269 AD), he was ordered to govern all roads as "Zhen Dao". After eight transmissions to Yue Dewen, his teaching became even more prosperous. His teachings continued until the end of the Yuan Dynasty, but gradually declined after the Yuan Dynasty and finally disappeared. The founder was Xiao Baozhen from Weizhou (today's Ji County, Henan Province) during the reign of Emperor Xizong of the Jin Dynasty (1138-1140 AD). He taught the technique of "Taiyi Three Elements", hence the name "Taiyi". Both Quanzhen Taoism and Zhendao Taoism do not pay much attention to talisman magic, but Taiyi Taoism is famous for this alone, which is quite close to Tianshi Taoism. He advocates self-cultivation based on Laozi’s teachings and ruling the world through witchcraft and blessings. Wang E of the Yuan Dynasty said in "Rebuilding the Monument of Taiyi Guangfu Wanshou Palace": "In the early days, when the real people had gained the Tao, they used the secrets given by the immortals and saints to help people, and prayed for the forbidden words, but the results were not established. In the early days of Heaven's Favor, his method was very popular. "Yuan Wang Yun's "Qiu Jian Ji" 61 "Han Jun Jie Ming" said: "Far and near Xiangfeng, there are thousands of people who have accepted the disciples as disciples." This shows that there were many people who believed in Tai Dao at that time. In the eighth year of the reign of Emperor Xizong of the Jin Dynasty (1148 AD), Xiao Baozhen was ordered to go to the temple with great respect, and the four characters "Taiyi Wanshou" were written on the forehead of the place where he lived. In the second year of Yuan Xianzong (1252 AD), before Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, officially ascended the throne, he once named Xiao Baozhen "Yiwu Zhenren". Xiao Baozhen has been teaching for thirty years. He died in the sixth year of Dading in Jin Dynasty (1252 AD).

After Xiao Baozhen's death, he was taught by his disciple Han Daoxi, who still adopted the surname Xiao, so he was also named Xiao Daoxi. In the ninth year of Dading of Jin Dynasty (1169 AD), Jin Shizong ordered to build a "Wanshou" monument in the temple. Taiyi Daodao's "sect has been vigorously promoted and its disciples have increased in number" ("Qiu Jian Ji" 47 "Er Ren Shao"), numbering tens of thousands of people, and its spread area "spreads eastward across the sea" (ibid.). Taiyi's heirs had secret urn artifacts, and the heirs who succeeded him all changed their surname to Xiao, that is, they took the surname of the ancestor. From the fourth generation to Xiao Baozhen, he was followed by his grandson Xiao Fudao. The emperor of the Yuan Dynasty offered him the title of "An Chai Lai" ("Qiu Jian Ji" 38, "Qing Zhi Dian Ji"), and gave him the title of "Zhonghe Renjing Zhenren".

According to the fifth biography of Xiao Jushou (originally Li), "Yuan Shi Shi Lao Zhi" states: "In the eleventh year of the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1274), Taiyi Palace was built in the two capitals, and Ju Shou was ordered to live in it, take charge of ancestral affairs, and perform sacrifices. In the 13th year of Liuding (AD 1276), Taiyi was given the seal of master." The sixth version of Taiyi passed down to Xiao Quanyou (real name Li), and the seventh version passed to Xiao Tianyou (real name Cai). His teachings continued to flourish until the reign of Emperor Taiding of the Yuan Dynasty, Taiding Dynasty (1324-1328 AD). But then it gradually declined and eventually disappeared. Also known as Jingming Zhongxiao. This Taoism originated during the Shaoxing period of Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty (1131-1162 AD). He Zhengong, a Taoist priest from Yulong Wanshou Palace in Xishan, Nanchang, Jiangxi, asked Xu Zhenjun (Xun) to teach him the "Pure Ming, Loyalty and Filial Principle of the Flying Immortal to Save People", and the "Pure Ming Dharma" began to be practiced in the world. At the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, there was a Taoist priest named Liu Yuqing. After his purification and teaching of the "Jingming Method", he wrote the "Jingming Zhongxiao Complete Book", which officially formed the Jingming Tao. This Taoist sect regards Xu Jingyang (Xun) as its ancestor. The practice of teaching focuses on using talismans and forbidden incantations to drive away evil spirits and subjugate demons, and observing a fast and offering rituals to cultivate immortality and save people. This Taoist sect spread in the south of the Yangtze River, had a great influence during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, and then gradually declined.

The Quanzhen sect and the Zhengyi sect

The above five sects, Quanzhen sect, Zhendao sect and Taiyi sect, arose in the north; Zhengyi sect and Jingming sect flourished in the south. The True Great Way, the Great Way, and the Pure Bright Way have long been lost. Since the Ming Dynasty, Taoism has been divided into two major sects, Quanzhen and Zhengyi, and all other branches have been classified into these two sects. There are many branches of the Quanzhen sect, the main ones are:

(1) The Five Ancestors sect: namely

Xuanfu, the Emperor of Donghua respected by Taoism, was named Shaoyang, and passed down the Shaoyang sect ;

Zhongli Emperor Zhongliquan (named Yunfang), named Zhengyang, passed down the Zhengyang sect;

Chunyang Emperor Lu Yan (named Dongbin), named Chunyang, passed down Chunyang Sect;

Hai Chan Patriarch Liu Cao (also known as Zongcheng) was taught by Emperor Zhongli and passed on to Hai Chan Liu Zu Sect;

Chongyang Patriarch Wang Hao, also known as Chongyang, passed down the Chunyang sect; Double Ninth Festival.

(2) Northern Qizhen Sect: namely

Qiu Chuji, named Changchun, Chuanquanzhen Longmen School;

Liu Chuxuan, known as Changsheng, Chuanquan Zhen Suishan sect;

Tan Chuduan, nicknamed Changzhen, passed down the Quanzhen Nanwu sect;

Ma Yu, nicknamed Danyang, passed down the Quanzhen Yuxian sect;

Hao Datong, named Guangning, passed down the Quanzhen Huashan School;

Wang Chuyi, named Yuyang, passed down the Quanzhen Yushan School;

Sun Buer (Kun Dao) ), Qingjingsanren, spread the Quanzhen Qingjing sect.

(3) Ziyang Sect, the Fifth Southern Patriarch:

Zhang Ziyang (Bo Duan) passed down the Ziyang Sect.

Shi Xinglin is the second generation ancestor,

Xue Daoguang is the third generation ancestor,

Chen Niwan is the fourth generation ancestor,

Bai Yuchan is the fifth generation patriarch.

There are also many Zhengyi sects, the main ones are:

(1) Qingwei sect passed down by Damao Zhenjun Mingying;

(2) Tianshi Zhang Xu Jing taught the Zhengyi sect;

(3) Xu Zhenjun taught the Jingming sect;

(4) Zhenwu Xuanwu sect. Taoism teaches scriptures and rituals, and was divided into three sects in the past, also known as Sanshan Fulu.

(5) The Lao Huashan Sect passed down by Chen Tuan’s ancestor is also known as (Chen’s Kanyu Sect)