Taoist schools

Taoism is an East Asian religion founded in ancient China with many schools or denominations, of which none occupies a position of orthodoxy and co-existed peacefully. Taoist branches usually build their identity around a set of scriptures, that are manuals of ritual practices. Scriptures are considered "breathwork", that is "configurations of energy" (qi), embodiments of "celestial patterns" (tianwen), or "revelations of structures" (li). The earliest Taoist schools emerged during the late Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 CE). They blossomed especially in the region of Shu, modern-day Sichuan. From the 12th and 13th centuries onwards several smaller branches merged into larger ones, but in turn, side-schools developed around the large traditions. In modern times the existing schools tend to be classified under few overarching headings, in most cases under two main denominations: Quanzhen Taoism and Zhengyi Taoism. Eastern Han period (25–220) to Tang period (618-907): development of the Taiping, Celestial Masters and Zhengyi schools. Wudoumi Taoism (五斗米道 Wǔdǒumǐ dào, "Way of the Five Pecks of Rice") Tianshi Taoism (天师道 Tiānshī dào, "Way of the Celestial Masters") Zhengyi Taoism (正一道 Zhèngyī dào, "Way of the Right Oneness") Taiping Taoism (太平道 Tàipíng dào, "Way of the Great Peace") Eastern Jin period (317–420) and Southern dynasties period (420-589): development of the Shangqing and Lingbao branches. Shangqing Taoism (上清派 Shàngqīng pài, "School of the Highest Clarity") Maoshan Taoism (茅山宗 Máoshān zōng, "Maoshan Lineage" or "Maoshan Church") Lingbao Taoism (靈寳派 Língbǎo pài, "School of the Numinous Treasure") Louguan Taoism (樓觀派 Lóuguān pài or 樓觀道 Lóuguān dào, "School [or Way] of the Contemplation Place") Jurchen Jin period (1115–1234): development of the Quanzhen branch. Quanzhen Taoism (全真道 Quánzhēn dào, "Way of the Fulfilled Virtue") Zhenda Taoism (真大道 Zhēndà dào, "True Wide Way") Taiyi Taoism (太一道 Tàiyī dào, "Way of the Great Oneness") Southern Song period (1127–1279): Tianxin, Shenxiao, Qingwei, Donghua and Jingming branches.