Zhang Daoling

The founder of organised Taoist religion. In 142 CE, he reported a revelation from the deified Laozi and established the Way of the Celestial Masters — a church with parishes, priests, confession, and healing, the first Taoism you could join rather than only read.

The hinge where philosophy (daojia) becomes religion (daojiao): the same texts, now a living institution with liturgy and lineage.