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Getting the Overall Picture...

Chinese Mythology is crazy. America is not the melting pot, China is. Well, at least when you're talking about religions and mythology. The three main theologies in China are Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Each had undergone drastic changes since its first introduction to the general Chinese culture.

The Ingredients

When Buddhism first entered China in the late Sui/early Tang dynasties (600's AD) from India, it had just recently accepted idols as appropriate forms of worship. The Chinese took that, completely reformatted the statue positions, got rid of the ugly post in the center of the temples (which was the remnant of the tower that was the symbol of worship before statues were allowed), and assigned the various buddhistvas new living places and new duties. If you've ever compared statues of Indian and Chinese Buddhists, you might notice that Chinese buddhists are more serene, while Indian ones look more elaborate and ethereal.

Daoism, the oldest theology, started out as a philosophy, a way of life as prescribed as such Greats as Lao Zi, Zhuang Zi, and Mo Zi during the great philosophical renaissance of the Chun Qiu (Spring and Autumn) and Zhan Guo (Warring States) Eras (500's BC). It stressed turning within yourself, humility, living in accordance with nature. But the Chinese populous needed not a philosophy, but a religion, so Daoism embraced the pre-existing system of demi-gods of nature and capped it off with Yu Di, the Jade Emperor that ruled over everything, all life, all spirits. From Confucianism they took the concept of a Heavenly Court that presides over the world just as the Earthly Court of the mortal emperor (Son of Heaven) presides his country.
(Note: The Heavenly Court becomes a separate entity in terms of mythological characters and roles, so henceforth they will be referred to as distinct institutions)

Confucianism isn't really a religion, but more as a way of life, almost like a code of ettiquette and proper conduct. There is nothing spiritual about Confucianism. However, this is the theology that is the most supported by the successive dynasties and governments. Why? Because Confucianism promoted peace and order, emphasized loyalty in accordance to the heirarchy of power, and upheld loyalty, fidelity, kindness, and honor as the four virtues.

Melting Pot

Now that we've established the two main religions and the one main theology, we're going to throw all of them into a great melting pot called "The hungry oppressed Chinese peasants who need spiritual salvation" (working title). After simmering for a couple hundred years, you'll have a proliferation of Buddhist monasteries and Daoist temples popping up like mushrooms.

Now add into this mess a dash of shrines devoted to great heros of history whose spirits are still keeping a watchful eye over this world. Confucious and other theologians, Guan Gong and other famous generals, Bao Gong and other honest judges, etc. Confused yet?

So with everything mushed together, the end result is: The Buddha lives in his "stronghold", Lei Shan (Thunder mountain), to the southwest. Yu Di (Jade Emperor) lives with his Court in the heavens, and then there's a scattering of buddhistvas taking residence in exotic locale, isolated Daoist enchanters holed up in caves, demigods for every mountain peak and rivulet, and the major officials of the Heavenly Court appointed everywhere. The God of Death (Yan Lo Wang --there's actually eight of them, although you usually just see one) is in charge of all the souls in the 18 levels of a sub-terranean hell. The Four Seas are each ruled by a dragon king (but then what happens when they each have three or four sons?). There is also the spirits formed from anything that's been alive long enough. Thousand-year-old snake spirits, ginseng spirits, etc. Fun, isn't it?

Confusion

With all this integration and mixing, two main problems arise. First, individual roles and power. Who is really in charge of what? What if there lives on this mountain a buddhistva, a daoist enchanter, a vagrant snake spirit and a motley of nature demigods, who is answering to whom? Who really presides over the mountain? If there is a forest fire, who should put it out? Second, the relationship between the systems. What does the Buddha call Yu Di? Is there any visiting between the two entities? Who is ultimately more superior?

The answer to the first problem is frustrating: There is no definite role. Besides a few delegated officials such as Yan Lo Wang and the Dragon Kings, the rest is really up to whoever feels like sticking their nose in. However, certain behaviors can be extrapolated from the religion. (Buddhistvas want to save the people by removing them from the world. Daoists just want some peace and maybe some worshippers. Demi-gods are concerned with the health of the region, and wild spirits just wants to have fun.)

The answer to the second problem is somewhat more decipherable: The Heavenly Court handles the comings and goings of the world. In other words, they're in charge of rain and sun, death and rebirth: the practical matters. They also have a great respect for Buddhism and regard it as the dominating religion. Daoists and members of the Heavenly Court often journey to hear the teachings of Buddha. The Buddha and his disciples, on the other hand, don't take an active role in governing nature. However, if the Heavenly court is threatened or if help from a greater power is needed, the Buddha becomes the final authority. They help maintain the large overall balance of the world.

Nutshell

So what is the overall picture? Chaos. Okay, maybe that was less than helpful. In a way, it is like human society. (After all, all this mumble jumble was made up by us). If the Heavenly Court is the government, then Buddha is the religion, and everyone else (some buddhistvas, daoist enchanters, roving spirits) merely traverses the world as "people", making alliances, contesting power with enemies, harnessing the smaller demigods and establishing a "family" of pupils or cronies. Buddhistvas are always good, and most Daoists are neutral but allies with the Buddhistvas, and the powerful spirits and accidental monsters are usually mischief-makers at the very least.

In other words: The Heavenly Court is the government, the Daoists are the intellectuals, the Buddhistvas are the church, and the spirits are the people.