froggie Posted July 6, 2008 (edited) what are the differences between the various types/kinds(?) of taoist sects ? thank you Edited July 6, 2008 by froggie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hagar Posted July 7, 2008 what are the differences between the various types/kinds(?) of taoist sects ? thank you This is almost like asking, tell me the difference between various types of popular music. Too vast a question to answer. Allthogh there are some sects who are more known to westerners, these schools and sects do not by any means give us a comprehensive picture of Taoist sectarianism. I would suggest you read "Vitality, Energy, Spirit" translated by Thomas Clearly, and also more academic works on the history of Taoism to look into your question. But Basically there are schools influenced by more Buddhist approaches, focusing on solo cultivation, and purist ideals, like the Northern School of Complete Reality, and schools that focus on dual cultivation and energy work like the Souther School of Complete Reality. Yet these are only but a few of the most well known. There are sects that mainly focus on spirit whorship, Confusian-influenced sects that focus on merit and action, purely martial sects and many focusing more shamanistic influences. Yet the picture is too vast to give a short abbreviated story. Do some reasearch into the Taoist canon, and you'll see why . h Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
