道(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)是(shi)中國(guo)本土宗教(jiao)(jiao),以“道(dao)(dao)”為(wei)最高信仰。道(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)在中國(guo)古代鬼(gui)神崇(chong)拜觀念(nian)上,以黃、老(lao)道(dao)(dao)家思(si)想為(wei)理論根據,承襲戰(zhan)國(guo)以來的神仙方術衍化形成(cheng)。東漢末(mo)年(nian)(nian)出現(xian)大量道(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)組織(zhi),著名的有(you)(you)太平道(dao)(dao)、五(wu)斗米道(dao)(dao)。祖天師張道(dao)(dao)陵(ling)正式創立教(jiao)(jiao)團組織(zhi),距今(jin)已有(you)(you)1800年(nian)(nian)歷史。道(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)為(wei)多神崇(chong)拜,尊奉的神仙是(shi)將道(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)對(dui)“道(dao)(dao)”之(zhi)信仰人格化體(ti)現(xian)。道(dao)(dao)士是(shi)道(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)的神職(zhi)人員(yuan),全(quan)國(guo)現(xian)有(you)(you)住觀道(dao)(dao)士3萬余人。宮(gong)觀是(shi)道(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)徒(tu)活動的場所,全(quan)國(guo)現(xian)登記開放的宮(gong)觀有(you)(you)2千(qian)余座(zuo)。
道(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao),是(shi)發源于古代本土中(zhong)國春秋戰(zhan)國的(de)方仙(xian)道(dao),是(shi)一個崇拜諸多(duo)神明的(de)多(duo)神教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)原生(sheng)(sheng)的(de)宗(zong)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)形(xing)式(shi)(shi),主要宗(zong)旨是(shi)追求長生(sheng)(sheng)不死、得道(dao)成仙(xian)、濟世(shi)救(jiu)人。在古中(zhong)國傳統文化中(zhong)占有(you)(you)重要地位,在現代世(shi)界(jie)的(de)也積極發展。道(dao)家(jia)雖然(ran)從戰(zhan)國時(shi)代即為(wei)諸子(zi)(zi)百家(jia)之一,道(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)把原為(wei)道(dao)德哲(zhe)學家(jia)神化了。直(zhi)到(dao)漢朝(chao)后期才有(you)(you)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)團產生(sheng)(sheng),益州(今四川)的(de)天(tian)師道(dao)奉老(lao)子(zi)(zi)為(wei)太(tai)(tai)上老(lao)君(jun)。至南(nan)北朝(chao)時(shi)道(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)宗(zong)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)形(xing)式(shi)(shi)逐漸完善。老(lao)子(zi)(zi)李(li)耳(太(tai)(tai)上老(lao)君(jun))是(shi)唐室先祖,唐代尊封老(lao)子(zi)(zi)為(wei)大道(dao)元闕圣祖太(tai)(tai)上玄元皇帝。