Way of the Li Family (original) (raw)

Lijia Dao (李家道, Way of the Li Family) was one of the oldest schools of religious Daoism and was popular throughout South China during the Six Dynasties (220-589). Since several Way of the Li Family practices resembled those of the Way of the Celestial Masters, such as healing with (fu) amulets and holding expensive chu "Kitchen" feasts, the sect is associated with the Southern Celestial Masters. Mainstream Daoist schools denounced the Way of the Li Family as heterodox, particularly for its charlatan healers who claimed extraordinary longevity. For instance, Li Tuo (李脫) or Li Babai (李八百, "Li Eight-Hundred[-Years-Old]") and his disciple Li Hong (李弘) were executed in 324 for practicing sorcery and plotting rebellion.