Editing Taoism (section)

=== Internal alchemy ===
[[File:Changchun-Temple-Master-and-disciples-painting-0316.jpg|thumb|[[Wang Chongyang]], the founder of the Quanzhen School, and his seven disciples, depicted in [[Changchun Temple]], [[Wuhan]].]]
Internal Alchemy Taoism or Transformation Taoism focuses on internal transformation through the use of various self-cultivation techniques like [[qigong]], [[neidan]] (internal alchemy), [[Yangsheng (Daoism)|Yangsheng]] and so forth.{{sfnp|Wong|2011|p=172-173}}

The basic worldview of this Taoist tradition is that all beings are born with certain forms of energy (mainly the [[Three Treasures (traditional Chinese medicine)|three treasures]] of jing, qi and shen), which become dissipated, weak and lost as we age.{{sfnp|Wong|2011|p=173}} To prevent this and to increase our inner vital energies, one must practice various methods of "internal alchemy" (neidan) to harmonize the internal energy in one's body and refine the "golden elixir" (jindan) inside the body. These meditative inner alchemical practices are believed to lead to greater longevity and even immortality (union with the Tao at death).{{sfnp|Wong|2011|p=173-174}}

Another worldview is that beings must "harmonize ''yin'' and ''yang'' forces internally to achieve immortality."<ref name="Bowker-2021" />
{{sfnp|Wong|2011|p=183}} A term used by some Taoists that sums up traditions that do not use these practices is "singular path".{{sfnp|Wong|2011|p=183}} Most traditions follow the "singular path". These include the Longmen ([[Dragon Gate Taoism|Dragon Gate]]) sect of the [[Quanzhen School]], the [[Xiantiandao]] (Earlier Heaven Way) sect, the [[Wuliupai]] sect, and the [[Wudang quan]] sect.{{sfnp|Wong|2011|p=184}}

The [[Quanzhen School]] was founded by [[Wang Chongyang]] (1112–1170), a hermit in the [[Zhongnan Mountains|Zhongnan mountains]] who was said in legends to have met and learned secret methods from two immortals: [[Lü Dongbin|Lu Dongbin]] and [[Zhongli Quan]].{{sfnp|Kohn|2008|p=154}} He then moved to [[Shandong]] and preached his teachings, founding various religious communities.{{sfnp|Kohn|2008|p=154}} His school popularized Internal Alchemy Taoism and the usage of the term.<ref name="Wang-2022" />

One of his "seven perfected" disciples, [[Qiu Chuji]] (1148–1227), founded the [[Dragon Gate Taoism|Dragon Gate]] lineage. Chuji was also made the leader of all religions in China by [[Genghis Khan]], making his tradition the most powerful in all of China, and contributing to Longmen's lasting influence.{{sfnp|Kohn|2008|p=155}} Another important Quanzhen lineage is the Qingjing pai, founded by the nun [[Sun Bu'er]] (1119–1182), the only female member of the "seven perfected".{{sfnp|Kohn|2008|p=155}} Today, Quanzhen is mainly made up of celibate monastics who practice [[vegetarianism]], [[sobriety]], internal alchemy and recite daily liturgies. The largest lineage is [[Dragon Gate Taoism]].{{sfnp|Komjathy|2014|p=30}}

Much like Taoists who see writings made by influential members of their faith as having a divine nature, some Taoists view self-cultivation as a way for emotions and self to partake in divinity,<ref name="Stevenson-2000" /> and a smaller subset of these{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} view some [[Legendary creature|mythological]] [[Hero|beings]] such as [[Xian (Taoism)|''xian'']] as being divine.<ref name="EB-2023">{{Cite web |title=xian |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/xian-Daoism |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=[[Encyclopedia Britannica]] |language=en |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221214931/https://www.britannica.com/topic/xian-Daoism |url-status=live }}</ref> Xian were viewed in many lights and as completely different types of beings over different times and in different places. They were sometimes viewed as [[Deity|deities]], parts of the celestial hierarchy, metaphorical ideals that people should strive to be like, reclusive Taoist masters who know how to control and harness spiritual energies or shamans.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}

==== Hygiene Taoism ====
Hygiene Taoism is a Taoist tradition meant to increase life and "physical and mental harmony".<ref name="Stevenson-2000" /> Some Taoists from the "Hygiene School" believed that they could survive only on their own breath and saliva to purify their bodies.<ref name="Stevenson-2000" />

Much of Taoism in general is about cleanliness in some way and involves free thinking,<ref>{{Cite book |date=June 19, 2022 |title=Daoism and medicine 1 |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.4324/9780203740262-32/daoism-medicine-1-michael-stanley-baker?context=ubx&refId=d89dd299-3707-4770-87ad-e12cc7ddbdb9 |publisher=[[Routledge]]|doi=10.4324/9780203740262-32 |last1=Stanley-Baker |first1=Michael |pages=401–416 |isbn=978-0-203-74026-2 }}</ref> as well as rejecting the gratification of the senses, in order to purify oneself to make the mind like "the sky", "sun", and nature in general.<ref name=":1" />