Daoshi

Daoshi (Chinese道 士) denotes a Daoist masters or priests and priestesses of Daoism. From the 6th century, the term Daoshi was used to designate a member of its Daoist clergy. At the same time, the expression that it is a professional representatives of Daoist culture.

In the Daoist religion, the term Daoshi means someone who has a certain knowledge in relation to the Dao, is formed in Daoist rituals, and who is authorized to apply this knowledge and rituals.

The contents of this knowledge and ritualism differ, depending on which Daoist school they were taught.

From the Late Period of the Six Dynasties, the term Daoshi designated religious specialists who belonged to a Daoist organization. This Daoists be limited, for example, from Buddhism or of local cults from. The design as Daoshi was and is dependent on initiation and training in an institutionalized and authorized Daoist organization.

History

During the Han Dynasty, the term Daoshi was used for the first time in his writings. He appeared there as well as other synonyms for example, Fangshi and Daoist saints like the Zhenren.

In the 5th century Taoists as Qianzhi Kou and Lu Xiujing tried to categorize the ranks of the Daoist clergy, as compared to Buddhism, this did not appear orderly and clearly.

From the Late Period of the Six Dynasties published writings that constitute the ranking of the Daoist clergy and requirements Daoshi. The Daoshi were distinguished also by subordinate ranks as the Fashi ( master of the ritual ) and the dizi ( students). To what extent such writings, however, corresponded to the reality, it is unclear as to distinguish the sources in terms of content hierarchies.

Daoshi often belonged to Made layers. In the Tang period, many Daoshi were well trained and were honored by the rulers and the Confucian officials. Also, women were often ordained as Daoshi in the Tang period and in today's Quanzhen sect, there is still a female clergy.

Nowadays, often only members of the celestial master and the Zhengyi Taoism - are referred to as Daoshi, but these represent only a certain direction in the Daoshi appear.