Subdivisions of Taoism
( bbc.co.uk )
Modern Taoism falls into main categories: 'Southern' Taoism, popular in Taiwan and South China and 'Northern' Taoism, a tradition largely unknown to Westerners but widely practised among modern Taoists in the Chinese mainland.
Southern Taoism
Southern Taoism is an offshoot of Cheng-i Taoism, the only liturgical tradition surviving today. The modern Cheng-i tradition dates back to the 11th century. Its priests still perform liturgies like the chiao, believed to harmonise the local community with the cosmos. They also perform healing rituals and exorcisms in public. But these activities are frowned upon by 'Northern' Taoists.
Northern Taoism
The outside world knew little about the existence of Northern Taoism until the 1980s because few foreigners were allowed to enter the Chinese mainland under conditions that allowed them to experience the country's religious culture. For a time there was also a question mark over whether Taoism had survived the crackdown on all religions in China from 1966 to 1976.
Northern Taoism grew out of the Ch'üan-chen tradition. It was founded in the 12th century by Wang Chu'ung-yang. It emphasises moral and spiritual discipline and also continues self-preservation practices that date back to the classical Nei-yeh. Its headquarters are at White Cloud Abbey in Beijing.
There are other Taoist groups but none of them is believed to exist in its original form.
