Daoshi
Daoshi (道士) refers to a priest in Taoism. According to legend, these Taoist recluses would practice alchemy and austerity in the mountains, with the aim of becoming xian, or immortal beings. The activities of the daoshi tend to be informed by materials which may be found in the Daozang, or Daoist canon; however, daoshi generally choose, or inherit, specific texts which have been passed down for generations from teacher to student, rather than consulting published versions of these works. Daoshi practices can include various ceremonies, including fortune telling.
Today there are two priesthoods. The Quanzhen School, which is dominant in the northern half of the People's Republic of China, have priests that resemble Buddhist monks in that they are celibate, vegetarian, and live in temples. Their headquarters is the White Cloud Temple in Beijing.
In contrast, the Zhengyi Dao priests can marry, eat meat, and live in their own homes. They are only priests part-time and hold other jobs. They are dominant in southern China. They are led by a hereditary Celestial Master based in the Republic of China (Taiwan) since fleeing after the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Since he is beyond the PRC's control, all mainland priests are supposed to register with the Communist government's Chinese Taoist Association to break their bonds with him. Many have not joined.
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