Chinese Daoist Association - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Chinese Taoist Association , founded in April 1957, is the main association of Taoism

Taoism

Taoism refers to a philosophical or religious tradition in which the basic concept is to establish harmony with the Tao , which is the mechanism of everything that exists...

in the People's Republic of China

People's Republic of China

China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...

. It is recognized as one of the main religious associations in the People's Republic of China, and is overseen by the State Administration for Religious Affairs

State Administration for Religious Affairs

The State Administration for Religious Affairs , abbreviated SARA , is a functioning department under the State Council which oversees religious affairs and issues for the People's Republic of China...

. Dozens of regional and local daoist associations are encapsulated into this overarching group, which is encouraged by the government to be a bridge between Chinese Taoists and the government, to encourage a patriotic merger between Taoism and government initiatives. The group also disseminates information on traditional Taoist topics, including forums and conferences. The association was a major sponsor of the 2007 International Forum on the Tao Te Ching

Tao Te Ching

The Tao Te Ching, Dao De Jing, or Daodejing , also simply referred to as the Laozi, whose authorship has been attributed to Laozi, is a Chinese classic text...

.

The Chinese Taoist Association advocates the recompensation of losses inflicted on Taoism by the Cultural Revolution

Cultural Revolution

The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...

. Taoism was banned for several years in the People's Republic of China. Recently, the central government of China has supported and encouraged the Association, along with other official religious groups, in promoting the "harmonious society" initiative of President Hu Jintao

Hu Jintao

Hu Jintao is the current Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China. He has held the titles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China since 2002, President of the People's Republic of China since 2003, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission since 2004, succeeding Jiang...

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The Chinese Taoist Association advocates ecology

Ecology

Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...

. This can be explained by the fact that Taoism places a special significance to nature. As they put it, people should live in harmony with nature instead of trying to conquer it.

Chapters

There are several hundred local Taoist associations in China

People's Republic of China

. The below is a listing of the most relevant provincial, municipal and city-level Chinese Taoist Association chapters. The general headquarters are based in Beijing

Beijing

Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...

, at the White Cloud Temple

White Cloud Temple

The White Cloud Temple or the Monastery of the White Clouds is a Daoist temple located in Beijing, China. It is one of "The Three Great Ancestral Courts" of the Complete Perfection School of Taoism, and is titled "The First Temple under Heaven"....

.

Provincial chapters

Liaoning Taoist Association - since 1976
Gansu Taoist Association - since 1985
Hunan Taoist Association - since 1986
Shanxi Taoist Association - since 1986
Henan Taoist Association - since 1987
Anhui Taoist Association - since 1991
Shandong Taoist Association - since 1992
Sichuan Taoist Association - since 1962, dismantled during the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...

, resumed in 1993
Jiangsu Taoist Association - since 1993
Hubei Taoist Association - since 1993
Guangdong Taoist Association - since 1994
Fujian Taoist Association - since 1997
Hebei Taoist Association - since 1997
Qinghai Taoist Association - since 1997
Zhejiang Taoist Association - since 1999

Municipal chapters

Shanghai Taoist Association - since 1956, dismantled during the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...

, resumed in 1985
Chongqing Taoist Association - since 1998

Prefectural and city chapters

Guangzhou Taoist Association
Xi'an Taoist Association
Hangzhou Taoist Association
Shenyang Taoist Association
Chengdu Taoist Association
Wuhan Taoist Association
Fuzhou Taoist Association
Suzhou Taoist Association
Changsha Taoist Association
Wenzhou Taoist Association
Qingdao Taoist Association

External links

The following list is not complete since many Taoist associations operating in China don't hold websites.

Chinese Taoist Association

Branches

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