What is Celestial Masters Taoism 天师道?

Tianshi Dao (Celestial Master Dao), also known as Zhengyi Dao (Orthodox Unity Dao) by later generations, was founded by Zhang Ling. During the reign of Emperor Shun of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Ling secluded himself in Heming Mountain, Sichuan, where he propagated the "Three Officials' Handwritten Texts" and the "Dao of Orthodox Unity and Alliance with Might", curing diseases and dispelling disasters for the people. Since those who sought to learn the Dao were required to offer five pecks of rice, it was later called "Wudoumi Dao" (Five Pecks of Rice Dao).

Tianshi Dao revered Laozi as its founding ancestor, honoring him as Taishang Laojun (Supreme Venerable Lord), and took Tao Te Ching as its main classic. Later, Zhang Lu, the grandson of Zhang Ling, known as "Xishi" (the Successor Master), submitted to the Cao Wei regime, was appointed as General of the Southern Pacification, and granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households. This enabled Tianshi Dao to grow and expand. In particular, Zhang Lu implemented a theocratic system in Hanzhong, allowing Tianshi Dao to spread not only among the people but also gradually develop into the upper echelons of society.

Tianshi Dao had not only classics, ritual ceremonies, and precepts but also believers throughout Bashu and Hanzhong, becoming a highly influential organized religious group. Later generations recognized Tianshi Dao as the orthodox school of Taoism. In the 8th year of the Dade era of the Yuan Dynasty (1304), Zhang Yucai, the 38th Celestial Master, was awarded the title of "Patriarch of Zhengyi, in charge of the Talismans of the Three Mountains". Since then, Tianshi Dao has also been known as "Zhengyi Dao", and together with Quanzhen Dao (Perfect Realization Dao) which emerged during the Jin and Yuan dynasties, it has become one of the two major Taoist sects, continuing to this day.