Taoist Schools

In 1167, a Taoist from Shan'Xi came and settled down in Mt. Wudang to establish the Chuan Zhan sect of Taoism. He upheld the combination of three religions (Buddhism, Taoism and Conficiuism). The following “authentic”decree was also set up to “cleanse the heart-mind, settle down the true intention, store the Shen and secure the Chi.”The following “authentic deeds”was enacted for disciples to accord with as to”help the poor and deliver them out of the bitterness, stand behind others and become selfless with all.” Therefore, common people name this sect as Chuan Zhen sect (Complete authenticity in Chinese). The main classics for the sect includes Tao Te Purity and Stillenss, Wisdom Heart-mind Sutra, Piety Cannon, etc. In 1275, Wang Si Zhen came and lodged in Five Dragon temple to teach the ideas of the sect and his disciples once reached more than 100.

n 1167, a Taoist from Shan'Xi came and settled down in Mt. Wudang to establish the Chuan Zhan sect of Taoism. He upheld the combination of three religions (Buddhism, Taoism and Conficiuism). The following “authentic”decree was also set up to “cleanse the heart-mind, settle down the true intention, store the Shen and secure the Chi.”The following “authentic deeds”was enacted for disciples to accord with as to”help the poor and deliver them out of the bitterness, stand behind others and become selfless with all.” Therefore, common people name this sect as Chuan Zhen sect (Complete authenticity in Chinese). The main classics for the sect includes Tao Te Purity and Stillenss, Wisdom Heart-mind Sutra, Piety Cannon, etc. In 1275, Wang Si Zhen came and lodged in Five Dragon temple to teach the ideas of the sect and his disciples once reached more than 100.

All incantation sects of Taoism are given the name as Zheng Yi nowadays in Mt. Wudang. It was originally created by Zhang Tao Ling, who was worshipped as the Heavenly teacher. Also, some people called the sect “Heavenly Teaching sect.” In 1304, then famous Taoist Zhang Yu Cai became the headmaster of this sect and in fact control the affairs related to Dragon and Tiger mountain, Ge Zhao Mountain and Mao Mountain. Afterwards, all Taoism sects who practice incantation were given the name as Zheng Yi sect, who worships Zheng Yi Cannon and practices symbols and incantation to drive away evil effects, captivate ghosts and call for fortune for all people. At the end of Han Dynasty, the Zheng Yi began to move into Mt. Wudang area and become the mainstream of Wudang Taoism for a while.

It was created in Eastern Jin Dynasty. First in circulation south of China, especially in Mt. Mao Shan in Jiang Su province, therefore gaining the name as Mao Shan sect. Upper Purity sect regards Yellow Court Cannon as the their creed book, and termed Grand Thoroughfare Cannon, Ci Yi Five Old Treasure Cannon and Tai Shang Shu Ling Da You Miao Cannon as their most reading scriptures. Also, they respected Primeval Heavenly King, Tai Shang Da Dao worthiness, Tai Wei Heaven Emperor, Lao Tzu as their highest Gods. In 1141, Toaist Shun Ji Ren wandered into Mt. Wudang and settled down in Five Dragon temple, teaching disciples and renovating the collapsed houses. Beacause he based his activity solely at this location, some people call the sect as “Upper Purity Five Dragon Sect.”

This is the most influencial Taoism sect originated from Upper Purity sect who practiced incantation and claimed all methods came from Pimeval Heaven God. In Song and Yuan Dynasty this sect was once very populer in south of China and their main classics include Qing Wei Elixir Knack, Qing Wei Fasting Knack, Qing Wei Immortal Lineage ? together with 268 volume of Tao Knack Collection which talks about the decree of the sect. Tao knacks, fasting rituals, commandment, most of which contents were supplied by Huang Sun Shen . Therefore, Huang Sun Shen served as the important figure in the development of the sect. This sect evolved to form two branches, one was south branch, Xiong Dao Hui serving as the headmaster; another is nothern brance with Zhang Dao Gui as headmaster. The northern branch based upon their activity in Mt. Wudang and later their disciples increased to reach more than several hundreds. Zhang Dao Gui was originaly apprenticed to Wang Zhen Chang, a Taoist of Chuan Zhen sect. Later Zhang Dao Gui transferred his learning to Zhang Shou Qing who was originaly a Chuan Zhen Taoist. Therefore, this northern branch should be regarded as a combination sect between Chuan Zhen and Qing Wei. Zhang Shou Qing stayed in Mt. Wudang for more than 20 years and his disciples reached 4,000 and in middle Yuan Dynasty many Taoists in Purple Heaven Palace and Grand Harmony and other temples were his disciples.

In Ming Dynasty the famous Taoist Zhang San Feng came to settle down in Mt.Wudang. Selecting places to construct temples and teaching disciples, Zhang San Feng began to set up San Feng sect who proposed the combination of three religion (Buddhism, Taoism and Confuciusism), cultivation of self for the benefit of the others and esteeming Zhen Wu as the highest God. The San Feng lineage proceeded as follows: Zhang San Feng to Lu Qiu Yun, Liu Gu Quan, Yang San Cheng, Zhou Zhen De, Li Xing Zhi, Qiu Xuan Qing. Li Xing Zhi also transferred his learning to Zhi Dao Ren, Shu Fu Chu; Qiu Xuan Qing to Yan Shan Ming, Pu Shan Yuan, Ma Shan Ning, etc. The Taoism Sects Chronicle, an ancient book circulating in Wudang area, has the recording that the San Feng sect had eight branches.

Chou Chu Ji, the disciple of Wang Cong Yang, created the sect. In 1669 Wang Chang Yue, the resurgence successor of Dragon Door sect, began his journey southward with his disciples from Beijing and set up alter to offer his teachings in Yu Xu Temple in Wudang. Ever since then the Dragon Door sect became the mainstream of Wudang Taoism and many Taoists were disciples of the sect. In Qing Dynasty, the Dragon Door sect became more and more popular, in place of Zheng Yi sect and such circumstance continued till today.

Focussing on an internal alchemy the Dragon Gate Taoism (龙门派)is a school in the tradition of the Complete Reality (QuanZhen 全真派) school. The Complete Reality Taoism eventually spread all over China during the Middle Ages, and still continues in existence today.

The Complete Reality School contributed a number of classic texts in Taoism including:

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A classic work on Taoist Meditation.

There is also Bill Porter's book in search of hermetic monks mostly from the Complete Reality school.

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In Yong Le Period of Ming Dynasty (1413) then emperor ordered the start of the big construction project in Mt. Wudang. Zhang Yu Qing,one Taoist from Zheng Yi sect, acted upon the order and called more than four hundred of Taoists from nearby provinces and brought them to Mt. Wudang. Among them around 20 were assigned with important posts in the many Wudang temples. All these Taoist regarded Zhen Wu as the common God and respected Zhang San Feng as their founder. Therefore, people call them Zhen Wu Xuan Wu sect. In 1989, upon the common understanding, the Taoism association agreed to change the name of the sect as “Wudang Xuan Wu sect.” This sect boarsts lots of classics, amoung them Zhen Wu Cannon remains the mainstay.

It is the typical local sect in Wudnag area. In 1412, then Taoist Priest Shun Bi Yun in Southern Cave Temple created the sect. His disciple called him as Pure Green Grand Master.?