Over the centuries Taoism, like other religions, has risen and fallen with the patronage of the state, and the changing fortunes of empires.
This episode looks at this history, and how Taoism was finally adopted as the State Religion, and Lao Tze was recognized as an ancestor of the Emperor, during the early Tang Dynasty.
The film therefore covers a very long period, and introduces some people who were significant for its ascendency, before its fall from grace at the end of the Tang era.
How it has survived despite its ups and downs in mainly thanks to its dedicated practitioners who were willing to continue with its practice, even when it was no longer in favour.
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