Chinese Taoist Association
 Chinese Taoist Association headquarters at theWhite Cloud Temple | |
| Formation | 1957 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | White Cloud Temple,9 Baiyunguan Street,Xicheng District, Beijing |
Parent organization | United Front Work Departmentof theCentral Committee of the Chinese Communist Party |
| Website | www |
| Part ofa serieson |
| Taoism |
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Chinese Taoist Association(CTA;Chinese:Trung Quốc Đạo giáo hiệp hội), founded in April 1957, is the official government supervisory organ ofTaoismin thePeople's Republic of China.
History[edit]
In 1980, the CCPCentral Committeeapproved a request by theUnited Front Work Departmentto create a national conference for religious groups.[1]: 126–127 The Chinese Taoist Association was one of five such religious groups, which also included theIslamic Association of China,theCatholic Patriotic Association,theThree-Self Patriotic Movement,and theBuddhist Association of China.[1]: 127
It is overseen by the United Front Work Department since theState 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 theTao Te Ching.[4][unreliable source?]The Chinese Taoist Association advocates for the recompensation of losses inflicted on Taoism by theCultural 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 SecretaryHu Jintao.[6][unreliable source?]
In February 2023, the CTA launched a searchable database of official practitioners.[7]
References[edit]
- ^abGuoyou, 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.ISBN978-1-4878-0392-6.
- ^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.Archivedfrom the original on 2019-07-21.Retrieved2019-11-18.
- ^Jia attends China Taoist Association's 50th founding anniversaryArchived2007-10-09 at theWayback Machine
- ^"The Way to Harmony: International Forum on the Daodejing".China Internet Information Center.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-02-16.Retrieved2023-01-22.
- ^abCongressional-Executive Commission on China,Annual Report 2011ArchivedFebruary 13, 2013, at theWayback Machine,Oct 2011.
- ^"China to Build Harmonious Society with Wisdom of Taoism".China Internet Information Center.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-08-08.Retrieved2023-07-07.
- ^"China rolls out searchable public databases of officially approved religious leaders".Radio Free Asia.23 February 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 26 February 2023.Retrieved26 February2023.