Taoism (Daoism)

As introduced by the Taiwan Yearbook 2006:

Although "philosophical Daoism" can be differentiated from "religious Daoism", the two are related. Philosophical Daoism developed on the basis of the teachings of Lao-tzu, who is believed to have lived in the sixth century BC. He and his disciples emphasized individual freedom, laissez-faire government, human spontaneity, and mystical experience.

Religious Daoism (referred to as Daoism in the following text), which took shape around the first century in China, combines Lao-tzu's philosophical thought with ideas from other philosophical schools that emphasized the attainment of immortality. Jhang Dao-ling, a founder of religious Daoism, is revered as the Heavenly Teacher. People who followed Dao (Tao) to foster their "ci" (chi) and cultivate their moral character to pursue immortality were known as Daoshih (Daoist priests).

Similar to many other traditional religions from China, Daoism was introduced to Taiwan by early immigrants from southeast China around the 17th century. Among the Daoist sects introduced to Taiwan, the most popular one is Tianshih Jiao, also called Jheng Yi Jiao, which is led by the descendants of Jhang Dao-ling. During the Ching dynasty, the status of Jhang Dao-ling rose significantly in Taiwan, and there was even a special altar set up to worship him during rituals. During the Japanese occupation, the development of Daoism ceased as the colonial government tightened its control of religion.

After Taiwan's retrocession to the ROC in 1945, Daoist priests from China began moving to Taiwan in increasing numbers, among them Jhang En-pu, a 63rd-generation leader of Jheng Yi Jiao. The establishment of the Taoism Society of the ROC in 1966 marked the beginning of a more organized development of Daoism in Taiwan. Not all members of the association were Daoist, however. For example, a government crackdown on I-Kuan Tao groups during the martial law period caused them to seek refuge by joining the association before they became legal in the late 1980s.

In Daoism, rituals held to worship deities, seek blessings, and prevent illnesses and disasters are called "Jiao". Over time, Daoism in Taiwan has evolved by mixing with elements of popular religion. For example, some deities in the Daoist pantheon are also seen in temples of popular religion, and certain rituals and practices are common to both Daoism and popular religion. Nowadays it is very difficult for ordinary people to differentiate the two. Taiwan's most famous Daoist temple is Sanching Temple in Yilan County.