Taoist

Timeline

c. 550 BCE: Taoism founded; Tao-Te Ching written by Lao Tze.
c. 350 BCE: Chuang-Tzu further develops Taoist philosophy.
c. 150 BCE: Immortality Taoism develops; Taiping Jing is compiled.
: San yi Jiao (Three-in-One Religion) is founded by Lin Zhaoen (1517-98) as a synthesis of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.
142 CE: Zhang Ling founds the sect of the Way of Five Bushels of Rice.
155-220: Zhang Lu organizes the Way of Five Bushels of Rice into religious communities, which become known as Taoism of Heavenly Masters.
226-9: Wang Bi introduces Taoist concepts into Confucian learning.
251-334: Wei Huacun is the first female leader of the Shangqing sect.
c. 320: Ge Hong (283-363) writes The Master Who Has Embraced Simplicity.
365-448: Kou Qianzhi revives Taoism of Heavenly Masters.
456-536: Tao Hongjing develops the Shangqing school.
618-6: Emperor Gaozu builds a great temple at the birthplace of Lao-Tze.
637: Emperor Taizong (r. 626-649) issues an edict ensuring that Taoists take precedence over Buddhists.
691: Empress Wu, a Buddhist, reverses Taizong's policy and builds Buddhist temples.
712-6: Rule of Taoist Emperor Xuanzong. Questions on Taoist texts become a feature of civil service examinations.
845: Emperor Wu-zong persecutes Buddhists and all other non-Taoist religions.
960-1279: During the Song dynasty, Perfect Truth Taoism and Orthodox One Taoism arise and the Taoist canon is edited.
1584: Temple of the Three-in-One Religion is built.
1644-1911: During the Manchu Qing dynasty, new movements are founded within Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity in China. The Three-in-One Religion is persecuted.
1851: Hong Xiuquan founds the Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace movement based on Christian ideas.
1912: China becomes a republic.
1919: The Fourth of May movement is founded and seeks to stamp out religion using science.
c. 1920-1939: National Taoist organizations are founded.
1928: Taoist and Buddhist temples are dismantled.
c. 1950: Religions are tightly controlled by the Chinese government.