BTA - An Introduction

The British Taoist Association was formed in 1996 with the aim of making Taoist traditions more accessible in the West. The founders included four British Taoist priests who were ordained in China in 1995 by Feng Xingzhao in the Leigutai Temple and who now form part of the Committee that runs the Association.

The Association is officially recognised by the Chinese Taoist Association which is based at the White Cloud Temple in Beijing. We also have a particularly close relationship with the Shaanxi Province Taoist Association, based at the Eight Immortals Temple in Xi’an. Our activities are supported by the Chairman of the CTA Min Zhiting, Feng Xingzhao and Huang Shizhen, the Abbot of the Qinghua gong Temple in Xi’an.

Feng Xingzhao(centre) with four Chinese priests and
four British priests who are founder members of the BTA

We organise meditation and internal cultivation retreats throughout the year and run occasional workshops taught by guest Taoist teachers, covering areas such as qigong and Yi Jing (I Ching). Feng Xingzhao, Huang Shizhen and Zhang Minggui have been among the Chinese Taoist priests who have visited UK to teach on retreats organised by the Association. From time to time we also present slide shows based on our visits to China.

In the past we have raised funds to help finance the rebuilding of the old Taoist temples, Qinghua gong in Xi’an and Ziyang Zhenren gong in Shaanxi province. Previously derelict, the two temples have now become a focus of village life, bringing together the whole community as well as regenerating wider interest in Taoism.

Our long-term aim is to establish a centre for Taoist practice in the UK.

The British Taoist Association embraces all the different strands of Taoism. We do not regard the Association as a special “sect” and being a member does not require any commitment to a particular master or school of Taoism. We recognise that each person has their own path to the Tao and encourage members to follow whatever teachings and practices are appropriate for them.

The British Taoist Association is a non-profit making organisation run by a committee of members. The Association is active internationally and membership is open to people in the UK and overseas.