When was Taoism founded?

The general academic circles believe that the first official classic of Taoism is the Taiping Jing written by Yu Ji in the Eastern Han Dynasty, so the Eastern Han Dynasty is considered as the initial period of Taoism.

The formal existence of Taoist entity activities in Taoism is the appearance of Taiping Dao and Wudou Mi Dao at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The Zhouyi Shentongqi written by Wei Boyang in the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Old Xiangzi Jules written by Zhang Daoling at the end of the Han Dynasty are the signs of the formation of Taoist beliefs and theories. Although there are Taoist elements in Taoist teachings, they are far from representing Taoist spirit and conveying Laozi and Zhuangzi's thoughts. They must not be confused.

Extended data

Taoism, which originated in ancient China during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, is a primitive religious form of polytheism. Its main purpose is to pursue immortality, achieve immortality, and help the world and save people. It occupies an important position in China's ancient traditional culture and develops actively in the modern world.

Although Taoism has been one of hundred schools of thought since the Warring States Period, it deified the former moral philosophers. Cults didn't appear until the end of the Han Dynasty, and Shi Tian of Yizhou (now Sichuan) addressed Lao Zi as a gentleman. By the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the religious form of Taoism was gradually improved. Laozi Li Er (the Grandfather) was the ancestor of the Tang Dynasty, and in the Tang Dynasty he was honored as the sage of Yuanque Avenue and the Emperor Xuanyuan.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Origin of Taoism

Baidu encyclopedia-Taoism