Chinese Taoist Association
Formation1957; 67 years ago (1957)
HeadquartersWhite Cloud Temple, 9 Baiyunguan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
Parent organization
United Front Work Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
Websitewww.taoist.org.cn Edit this at Wikidata
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Chinese Taoist Association (CTA ; Chinese: 中国道教协会), founded in April 1957, is the official government supervisory organ of Taoism in the People's Republic of China.

History

In 1980, the CCP Central Committee approved a request by the United Front Work Department to create a national conference for religious groups.[1]: 126–127  The Chinese Taoist Association was one of five such religious groups, which also included the Islamic Association of China, the Catholic Patriotic Association, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, and the Buddhist Association of China.[1]: 127 

It is overseen by the United Front Work Department since the State Administration for Religious Affairs' absorption in the UFWD in 2018.[2] Dozens of regional and local Taoist associations are included in this overarching group, which is encouraged by the government to be a bridge between Chinese Taoists and the government, to encourage a "patriotic merger" between Taoism and government initiatives.[3]

The group disseminates information on traditional Taoist topics, including forums and conferences. The association was a major sponsor of the 2007 International Forum on the Tao Te Ching.[4][unreliable source?] The Chinese Taoist Association advocates for the recompensation of losses inflicted on Taoism by the Cultural Revolution.[citation needed] Taoism was banned for several years in the People's Republic of China during that period.[citation needed]

Taoist practitioners in China are required to register with the Chinese Taoist Association in order to be granted recognition and official protection. The CTA exercises control over religious doctrine and personnel, and dictates the proper interpretation of Taoist doctrine.[5] It also encourages Taoist practitioners to support the Communist Party and the state. For example, a Taoist scripture reading class held by the CTA in November 2010 required participants to ‘‘fervently love the socialist motherland [and] uphold the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.’’[5] The central government of China has supported and encouraged the Association, along with other official religious groups, in promoting the "harmonious society" initiative of CCP General Secretary Hu Jintao.[6][unreliable source?]

In February 2023, the CTA launched a searchable database of official practitioners.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Guoyou, Wu; Xuemei, Ding (2020). Zheng, Qian (ed.). An Ideological History of the Communist Party of China. Translated by Sun, Li; Bryant, Shelly. Montreal, Quebec: Royal Collins Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-4878-0392-6.
  2. ^ Joske, Alex (May 9, 2019). "Reorganizing the United Front Work Department: New Structures for a New Era of Diaspora and Religious Affairs Work". Jamestown Foundation. Archived from the original on 2019-07-21. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
  3. ^ Jia attends China Taoist Association's 50th founding anniversary Archived 2007-10-09 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "The Way to Harmony: International Forum on the Daodejing". China Internet Information Center. Archived from the original on 2023-02-16. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  5. ^ a b Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Annual Report 2011 Archived February 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Oct 2011.
  6. ^ "China to Build Harmonious Society with Wisdom of Taoism". China Internet Information Center. Archived from the original on 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  7. ^ "China rolls out searchable public databases of officially approved religious leaders". Radio Free Asia. 23 February 2023. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.

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