Taoist Title

Taoist title, refers to the honorific of a Taoist Priest. Generally Taoist titles are mostly so and so Zi or Priest so and so, Recluse so and so, the carefree so and so etc. There are also honorific titles and posthumous titles that are given by worshippers and later generations. For example Chunyangzi, Priest Xuancheng, Lingxiaozi, Priest Lingxiao, Qingjingzi, Wuweizi, Priest Wuwei etc, they are mostly tinted with the ideology and concepts of their own school.

There is no gender difference in Taoism, Taoist appellations are all based on individual interest and adopted by the individual. Generally it is “Zi” (a respectful suffix for master or teacher), it is also acceptable to not carry “Zi”, but on principle there is no gender difference. With regards to the sacred titles of the gods and immortals, generally males are addressed as “Supreme Celestials”, females are addressed as “Virtuous Sovereigns”. Moreover, male renunciants in Taoism are called “Taoist Priest”, females are called “Taoist Nun”; or using “Qian Taoist” (Qian being the representation of pure Yang hence male) and “Kun Taoist” (Kun being the representation of pure Yin hence female) to distinguish them. Generally they are not addressed as “”male Taoist Priest” or “female Taoist Priest”, as “Shi” in general refers specifically to males. “Taoist Nun” is an address that belittles female Taoist Reverends, generally Taoist Priests are collectively addressed as “Taoist Reverend”.

If one has not been initiated into Taoism or be engaged in merits after initiation one must absolutely not give oneself a Taoist title. This is because giving oneself a Taoist title before even being initiated is an offense to all the immortal masters and patriarchs of Taoism, when you do not even know which school you belong to, how are you to give yourself a Taoist title? Moreover, the so-called “Zi” character, only those who have been initiated and have some accomplishments can use “so and so Zi” and hold such a title, in addition in Quanzhen, “Zi” is for the use of Taoist priests who have received the precepts, and it is bestowed by the “Master of the Recorded Registrars” of the “Eight Grand Masters of Precept Transmission”.

Translated by Wang Chongwei 王崇伟

道号

道号,指道士的尊号。一般的道号都是某某子或者某某道人、某某山人、某某散人等居多。也有信众或后人给他上的尊号谥号。比如纯阳子、玄诚子、玄诚道人、凌霄子、凌霄道人、清净子、无为子、无为道人等,大多都带有本教派思想理念的色彩。

道门无男女,道号都是根据个人兴趣由自己取。一般都是“子”,不带“子”也可以,但原则上没有男女差异。神仙圣号上,一般男称“天尊”,女称“元君”。另外,男性道教出家人叫“道士”,女性的叫“道姑”;或者用“乾道”和“坤道”区分。一般不称“男道士”或“女道士”,因为“士”一般专指男性。“道姑”是对女道长的蔑称,一般将道士统称为“道长”。

未入道或未入道行功之人万万不能给自己取道号。因为你未入道给自己起道号的话就冲撞了道教的历代仙师和祖师,连自己是哪个门的都不知道,你如何取道号?再者,所谓“子”字,只能入道后有所成就的人可以用“某某子”而居,而且在全真,“子”,是由“传戒八大师”当中的“登箓师”所赐。

王崇伟