Daoism (Taoism)

In early Tang Dynasty(618-907), the Tang emperor, in order to dignify his own social status, proclaimed himself to be a descendant of Lao Zi. As we know, Li was the Tang emperors surname, and Lao Zi's proper name was Li Er ( 李耳). During the Xuan Zong's reign of Me Tang Dynasty, Dao De Jing was honored as Dao De Zhen Jing (Essential Book of the Way and lts Virtue. At the same time, the title of me Daoist was given to a number of pre-Qin Daoist personages, including Zhuang Zi, Wen Zi, Lie Zi and others，Emperor Xuan Zong himself annotated Dao De Jing, and ordered all the scholars, officials and common people to keep a copy of the book at home. Examination questions related to Dao De Jing had also been added to imperial examination
In the Song Dynasty(960-1279), Emperor Wei Zong proclaimed himself Daojun huangdi(Dao Supreme Emperor). He also set up a Dao post ranking system based on traditional imperial official ranking patterns. This system included 26 ranks for Dao officials, of which the supreme grade was named called Jinme yuke. The Jinmen yuke literally means "A Guest with a Feather at the Golden Gate." Those who had this title could walk in and out of the imperial palace any time without any restrictions.
A multitude of Daoist sects and Dao official posts mushroomed during the period of the Jin, Yuan and Ming dynasties. Based on the information from a book called zhu zhen zong pai zong bo ( The General Book of All Daoist Sects), there were 86 Daoist sects in all throughout the course of history.
Since the Tang Dynasty, imperial governments of the dynasties consumed a huge sum of money to have scholars compile The Collection of Daoist Scriptures in an attempt to keep and disseminate these scriptures. The imperial patronage lasted until the Qing Dynasty, in which the court government began to neglect Daoism. However, Daoist temples still remained popular with numerous believers from all walks of life.