道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)是(shi)中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)本(ben)土宗教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao),以“道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)”為最高信仰。道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)在中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)古代鬼(gui)神(shen)(shen)(shen)崇拜觀念上,以黃、老道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)家(jia)思想為理(li)論(lun)根據,承(cheng)襲戰國(guo)(guo)以來的(de)神(shen)(shen)(shen)仙方術衍化(hua)形成。東漢(han)末年出(chu)現(xian)大量道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)組(zu)織,著名的(de)有太平道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)、五斗米道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)。祖(zu)天師張道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)陵正式創立教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)團組(zu)織,距今已有1800年歷史。道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)為多(duo)神(shen)(shen)(shen)崇拜,尊奉的(de)神(shen)(shen)(shen)仙是(shi)將道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)對“道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)”之信仰人格化(hua)體(ti)現(xian)。道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)士(shi)是(shi)道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)的(de)神(shen)(shen)(shen)職人員(yuan),全國(guo)(guo)現(xian)有住觀道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)士(shi)3萬余人。宮觀是(shi)道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)徒活動的(de)場所,全國(guo)(guo)現(xian)登記開放(fang)的(de)宮觀有2千余座。
道教(jiao)(jiao),是(shi)發(fa)源(yuan)于古代本土中(zhong)國(guo)春秋戰國(guo)的方(fang)仙(xian)道,是(shi)一個崇(chong)拜(bai)諸多神(shen)明的多神(shen)教(jiao)(jiao)原(yuan)生(sheng)的宗(zong)(zong)教(jiao)(jiao)形式,主要宗(zong)(zong)旨(zhi)是(shi)追求長生(sheng)不死、得道成仙(xian)、濟世(shi)救人(ren)。在(zai)古中(zhong)國(guo)傳統文(wen)化中(zhong)占有(you)重要地位,在(zai)現代世(shi)界的也積極發(fa)展。道家雖然從戰國(guo)時(shi)代即為(wei)諸子(zi)百家之一,道教(jiao)(jiao)把(ba)原(yuan)為(wei)道德哲學家神(shen)化了。直到漢朝(chao)后期才(cai)有(you)教(jiao)(jiao)團產生(sheng),益州(zhou)(今四川)的天師道奉老子(zi)為(wei)太(tai)上老君。至南(nan)北朝(chao)時(shi)道教(jiao)(jiao)宗(zong)(zong)教(jiao)(jiao)形式逐(zhu)漸完善(shan)。老子(zi)李耳(太(tai)上老君)是(shi)唐(tang)室先祖,唐(tang)代尊封老子(zi)為(wei)大道元(yuan)闕圣祖太(tai)上玄(xuan)元(yuan)皇帝。