(Adopted by the Tenth National Congress of the China Taoist Association on November 27, 2020)
1. Love the country and love the faith, abide by the rules and obey the law, be firm in faith and practice the right Way, observe social morality, and practice the Tao in the spirit of “compassion, frugality, and humility.”
2. Uphold fine traditions, observe the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts, and perform the morning and evening liturgy.
3. Be able to recite from memory the Liturgy of Daily Recitation (Zaowan Gongke Jing), the Scripture of the Three Officials (Sanguan Jing), and the Scripture of the Northern Dipper, and be thoroughly familiar with the Tao Te Ching, the Zhuangzi (True Classic of Southern Florescence), the Treatise of the Most High on Action and Response (Taishang Ganying Pian), and other Taoist classics.
4. Dress in accordance with the China Taoist Association’s Opinions on Standardizing the Attire of Taoist Clergy.
5. Eat vegetarian food when taking part in collective activities of the Taoist community.
6. Truthfully report one’s marital status to the Taoist association, Taoist academy, or temple management committee to which one belongs.
7. Taoist priests of the Quanzhen (Complete Perfection) school shall, in accordance with tradition, remain celibate and reside in their temples, eat vegetarian food, and keep their hair uncut and wear the large-collared robe. Taoist priests of the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) school shall abide by the rules and keep the precepts, and conduct themselves with propriety.
8. Do not use religion to carry out illegal activities that endanger national security, disrupt public order, or harm citizens’ physical and mental health.
9. Do not take part in conduct involving “pornography, gambling, or drugs.”
10. Do not drink to excess, do not smoke in public places, and engage in no other conduct that damages the image of Taoism.
11. Do not use any means, including the internet, to create conflicts, spread rumors, or stir up trouble, thereby undermining unity within the faith.
12. Do not demand offerings from believers.
13. Do not take part in commercial or trading activities beyond the self-support activities of the temple, or lend one’s endorsement to commercial activities.
14. Do not buy, sell, transfer, rent, lend, or forge Taoist certificates such as Taoist clergy certificates, ordination certificates, or register certificates.
15. Do not change one’s Taoist school or lineage family at will; keep the Taoist lineage pure.