Quanzhen
Quick Summary
The Quanzhen, or "Perfect Realization," sect is a significant movement within Daoism that emerged during the Song dynasty (960–1279). Founded in 1163 by Wang Chongyang, this sect gained favor with the Mongol rulers and established a strong presence, with its celibate monastic communities active into the 20th century. The White Cloud Monastery in Beijing served as its headquarters. The Quanzhen sect is known for its emphasis on monastic discipline and its role in the broader landscape of Daoist traditions, which include early movements like Shangqing and the Way of the Celestial Masters founded by Zhang Daoling.123
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- TaoismInternal developments
…Liu Deren (1142); and the Quanzhen (“Perfect Realization”) sect, founded in 1163 by Wang Chongyang (Wang Zhe). This last sect came to the favorable attention of the Mongols, who had taken over in the North, and its second patriarch, Qiu Changqun, was invited into Central Asia to preach to Genghis…
Read More…Liu Deren (1142); and the Quanzhen (“Perfect Realization”) sect, founded in 1163 by Wang Chongyang (Wang Zhe). This last sect came to the favorable attention of the Mongols, who had taken over in the North, and its second patriarch, Qiu Changqun, was invited into Central Asia to preach to Genghis…
Read More - Wang Che
…was the founder of the Ch’üan-chen (Perfect Realization) sect of Taoism, in 1163. After receiving secret teachings, Wang established a monastery in Shantung to propagate the Way of Perfect Realization as a synthesis of Confucianism, Taoism, and Ch’an (Zen) Buddhism. Wang’s new sect flourished with the imperial patronage.
Read More…was the founder of the Ch’üan-chen (Perfect Realization) sect of Taoism, in 1163. After receiving secret teachings, Wang established a monastery in Shantung to propagate the Way of Perfect Realization as a synthesis of Confucianism, Taoism, and Ch’an (Zen) Buddhism. Wang’s new sect flourished with the imperial patronage.
Read More