The General Overview of Taoism in the Jin Dynasties

  Taoism originated in the late Eastern Han Dynasty and had developed to a certain extent among the people by the Two Jin Dynasties. Because Taoism participated in organizing uprisings, which threatened the rulers, starting from the Wei and Jin dynasties, the ruling authorities adopted a two - pronged policy towards Taoism: one was to restrict or suppress it, and the other was to transform and utilize it. This policy of the ruling class led to the division of Taoism.

  In addition, the participation of scholar - gentry intellectuals in Taoism further brought about new changes in the composition of the Taoist ranks. As a result, part of Taoism moved from the folk to the official sphere and evolved into an official religion, part continued to operate among the people and organize uprisings, and some Taoist disciples who were scholar - gentry intellectuals lived in seclusion in mountains and forests to practice Taoism. This was roughly the development trend of Taoism during the Two Jin Dynasties.