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The Taoism best known in the West is often called “philosophical” Taoism after the great mystic writers Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu and Lieh Tzu of the 5th to 3rd centuries BCE. However, most Taoism as actually practiced comes from what is called “religious” Taoism founded by Chang Tao Ling in the 2nd century CE. Many different schools emerged over the next thousand years though only a few survive in any significant form today. Much of the popular Chinese indigenous religion is Taoist-influenced, with a strong overtone of Chinese popular Buddhism. Taoism itself has a low profile in the United States, but its influences are seen in new religious movements as certain meditational or other elements incorporated into other belief systems and practices. The numerous translations of the Taoist classic, Tao Te Ching¸ have enabled it to be used as a basis for a whole range of religious thought and belief, often different from its traditional use in China —Source Acknowledgement: Joanne O’Brien and Martin Palmer (The State of Religion Atlas, 1993 U.S. Demographics: 40,000 Taoists (post-2000 census). —Source: The ARIS 2001 study Table
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