Progress: Lesson 2 / 10
The Door of Taoism (道門)
There are many sects in Taoism, and each one is a complete system of its own. When you enter a sect, you are only connected to that sect — not all Taoism in the world. It works just like Chinese martial arts: there are many lineages such as XingYi, Tai Chi, Baji, Seven Star Mantis, Wing Chun, Hung Gar, and so on. Each is a self-contained world with its own methods, culture, and rules. You choose the sect you resonate with, and if the master accepts you, you have “entered the door.”
Entering the Door — The First Real Step
To enter a sect, you must go through initiation. In Chinese, this is called “拜師 Baai Si,” which means worshipping the master. The word “worship” here means something very direct — you put your faith into this master before he shows you anything. It is a pure investment of belief.
Because you trust him, the master will take responsibility for you and teach you with his best ability. You do not ask the master to “prove himself” before you commit. That is disrespectful and not how Taoism works. Entering the door is like marriage — once you choose, you go all in with your heart. If you are unsure, keep exploring until you are ready, but when the decision is made, you must commit fully.
Outside the Door vs Inside the Door
Most sects allow the public to learn some basics before entering. This is the “outside of the door” stage. People in this stage are sometimes called disciples, but only in the lightest, shallow sense. You learn the basics, get familiar with the style, and understand what the sect is about.
Once you officially ask to enter the door and the master accepts you, you become a real Taoist disciple. Only then can you access the real knowledge, real magic, and real transmissions of the sect.
Connecting to the Source of the Sect
Every Taoist sect has its own specialty and its own source of power. When you become a disciple, you are not just joining a group — you are connecting to that sect’s divine source. This allows you to receive the lineage’s transmissions and inherit the power that the sect has cultivated over generations.
If you do not enter the door, this connection cannot happen. It is like holding a phone without a SIM card — you can admire the device, but you have no network, no signal, and no service. Looking from outside can never replace the real connection inside.
Modern Taoism in China
Today, Taoism in China is heavily controlled by the government. The teachings have been simplified and restricted into two major divisions:
Zhen Yi Sect — mostly FU, talismans, and magic
Quan Zhen Sect — mostly scriptures, theory, and cultivation
All the smaller sects in China are forced to fit under these two names. This is a huge difference from ancient times, when there were hundreds of unique sects with their own systems, gods, and teachings.
Where Our Sect Stands
Our sect — the Tin Yat Lineage — is not part of China’s government-controlled Taoism. We are based in Toronto and have nothing to do with China’s political structure. We stand as a sect of our own, following the true teachings and powers passed down from our Saam Law source.
If you want to enter the door here, you must understand that you are learning Saam Law Taoism, not Chinese government Taoism, not western philosophy Taoism, and not mixed Taoism from books.
If you are unsure, we provide plenty of teachings, videos, and materials for you to explore before you make your decision.
