Taoism's Spread Throughout Asia

Taoism Founded

Jan 1, 1001

550BCE
Lao-tzu was the founder of Taoism and the author of Tao-te ching.

Chuang-Tzu further develops the philosophy.

Jan 1, 1002

350BCE
chuang-tzu further developed the taoism religion.

Immortality Taoism develops

Jan 1, 1003

150BCE
Taiping Jing is compiled.

Zhang Ling founds the sect of the Way of Five Bushels of Rice.

Apr 22, 1004

142CE

Zhang Lu organizes the Way of Five Bushels of Rice

Jan 1, 1005

155-220CE
He organizes them into religious communities, which become known as Taoism of Heavenly Masters.

Wang Bi introduces Taoist concepts

Period: Apr 22, 1226 to Apr 22, 1249

226-249
He organizes these concepts into Confucian learning.

Wei Huacun is first female leader

Period: Apr 23, 1251 to Apr 23, 1334

251-334
Wei Huacun is first female leader of Shangqing sect.

revival of Taoism of heavenly masters

Period: Apr 23, 1365 to Apr 23, 1448

365-448
Kou Qianzhi revives Taoism of Heavenly Masters.

developement of the Shangqing school

Period: Apr 23, 1456 to Apr 23, 1536

456-536
Tao Hongjing develops the Shangqing school

Temple at the birthplace of Lao-tze is built

Period: Apr 23, 1618 to Apr 23, 1626

Emperor Gaozu builds a great temple at the birthplace of Lao-Tze.

Taoists take precedence edict

Apr 23, 1637

637
Emperor Taizong issues an edict ensuring that Taoists take precedence over Buddhists.

reversal of the Taizong's policy

Apr 23, 1691

Empress Wu, a Buddhist, reverses Taizong's policy and builds Buddhist temples.

The rule of Taoist emperor

Period: Apr 23, 1712 to Apr 23, 1756

712-756
Rule of Taoist Emperor Xuanzong. Questions on Taoist texts become a feature of civil service examinations.

buddism is opposed

Period: Apr 23, 1768 to Apr 23, 1824

768-824
Emperor Han Yu opposes Buddhism.

persecution of non taoist religions

Apr 23, 1845

Emperor Wu-zong persecutes Buddhists and all other non-Taoist religions.

song dynasty

Period: Apr 23, 1960 to Apr 23, 2279

960-1279
During the Song dynasty, Perfect Truth Taoism and Orthodox One Taoism arise and the Taoist canon is edited.

San yi Jiao is founded

Period: Apr 25, 2501 to Apr 25, 2600

1501-1600 (16th century)
founded by Lin Zhaoen (1517-98) as a synthesis of Taoism.

Temple of the Three-in-One Religion is built.

Apr 25, 2584

1584

The Three-in-One Religion is persecuted.

Period: Apr 25, 2644 to Apr 25, 2911

1644-1911
new movements are founded within Taoism

violent clashes between christian & chinese

Period: Apr 25, 2801 to Apr 25, 2900

1801-1900 (LATE 19th century)
Violent clashes between Christian missionaries and the Chinese people.

Hong Xiuquan founds the Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace movement

Apr 25, 2851

1851
based on Christian ideas.

China becomes a republic.

Apr 25, 2912

1912

The Fourth of May movement is founded

Apr 25, 2919

1919
seeks to stamp out religion using science.

National Taoist organizations are founded.

Period: Apr 25, 2920 to Apr 25, 2930

1920-1930s

Taoist and Buddhist temples are dismantled.

Apr 25, 2928

1928

chinese control religions

Period: Apr 25, 2950 to Apr 25, 2959

1950-1959 (1950s)
Religions are tightly controlled by the Chinese government.