The attitude of the Ming Dynasty towards Taoism was not consistent. Generally speaking, before the reign of Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty, Taoism could still receive support from the rulers and held a certain position in the upper class. However, after Emperor Shizong, the relationship between Taoism and the rulers gradually became distant, and its social status declined, which directly led to Taoism falling into a low ebb in terms of organizational scale, doctrines, and teachings.
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Taoism before Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty
After establishing the country, Zhu Yuanzhang, Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, formulated a policy of taking Confucianism as the mainstay and using the three teachings (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism) together. He used Taoism to prove that his imperial power was bestowed by the gods and showed special courtesy and support to Zhengyi Dao. Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty continued to respect Zhengyi Dao, especially worshiping the True Martial God. He built a large number of temples on Wudang Mountain, making Taoism on Wudang Mountain thrive.
Among the emperors of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Shizong was the one who worshipped Taoism the most. He loved Taoist fasting and sacrificial rituals, and especially favored the "green essays" (prayers and memorials presented to heaven during Taoist fasting and sacrificial ceremonies) recited during the rituals. He even promoted officials based on these essays, leading to the emergence of so-called "green essay prime ministers". For example, the famous treacherous prime minister Yan Song started his career with green essays and eventually entered the Grand Secretariat.
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Emperor Shizong also favored Taoist priests. He showed great courtesy to Shao Yuanjie, a Taoist priest from Shangqing Palace on Longhu Mountain, conferred on him the title of "True Man", and appointed him to manage Taoist affairs. Tao Zhongwen, a Taoist priest recommended by Shao Yuanjie, was even granted the title of "Shenxiao Bao Guo Xuan Jiao Gao Shi" (a high scholar who propagates teachings to protect the country), put in charge of Taoist affairs, and specially appointed as Junior Guardian, Minister of Rites, later promoted to Junior Tutor, and respected as a teacher. In addition, Emperor Shizong was superstitious about Taoist medicines and various magical arts, hoping to seek longevity through them, and granted official positions and rewards to those who presented medicines and magical arts.
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Taoism after Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty
Emperor Muzong, who succeeded Emperor Shizong, suppressed Taoism. He abolished the title of "Zhengyi True Man" (the leader of Zhengyi Dao), took back his seal, and changed his position to the supervisor of Shangqing Temple. When it came to Emperor Shenzong, the title of "Zhengyi True Man" was restored, but the status of the Heavenly Master was far lower than before. After Emperor Shizong, the rulers' worship of Taoism gradually cooled down.
Therefore, after the mid-Ming Dynasty, due to its own factors such as the low quality of Taoist adherents and no achievements in doctrines and systems, coupled with the alienation of the rulers, Zhengyi Dao gradually declined in status in the upper class, its social influence weakened, and its organizational development stagnated.
Regarding Taoism in the Ming Dynasty, there is another sect that must be mentioned, which is Quanzhen Dao. Because Quanzhen Dao had a close relationship with the Yuan court, and the Ming court originated in the south and valued the social function of Zhengyi Dao, Quanzhen Dao mainly operated among the people in the Ming Dynasty. The most famous Quanzhen Taoist priest in the early Ming Dynasty was Zhang Sanfeng. Both Emperor Taizu and Emperor Chengzu sent people to look for Zhang Sanfeng many times but failed.
Quanzhen Dao on Wudang Mountain in the Ming Dynasty attracted more attention and became one of the bases for the later development of Quanzhen Dao. For example, the Bidong Sect, a branch of the Longmen Sect of Quanzhen Dao in Qingcheng Mountain, Sichuan during the Qing Dynasty, was introduced from Wudang Mountain.
