The Taoist “Renaissance”

The Taoist “Renaissance” Jeff Richey, Ph.D. REL 213 Taoism and the Arts of China Berea College Short Term 2004

SONG 宋DYNASTY CHINA (960-1279 CE) • Confucian scholars help stabilize Song dynasty after fall of Tang 唐 (618-906) • Grateful Song emperors embrace Confucianism and continue late Tang anti-Buddhist policies, although some support Taoism • After 1126, northern Song is lost to Jin 金 “barbarians,” intensifying perception of dynastic and social fragility • General religious tone of Song: moralistic, nationalistic, syncretistic　

TAOISM IN THE SONG • 1019: Emperor orders first organization of Taoist canon (collection of authoritative texts) • 1119: First mass printing of Taoist canon • 1126: After loss of north, traditions based on Celestial Masters (Tianshi 天師) flourished in the south, while new traditions arose in the north – the “Taoist Renaissance”

“RENAISSANCE” OR “REFORMATION”? • Under foreign domination (Jin, 1127-1279; Yuan 元, 1279-1368), Taoist movements in northern China undergo a radical transformation • Previous ritual traditions disregarded • Syncretic adaptation of Buddhist and Confucian elements • Strong emphasis on personal morality • 1281: All Taoist texts burned by imperial order • Gradual disappearance of Taoism from public view

QUANZHEN 全真(COMPLETE PERFECTION) • Founded by Wang Chongyang 王重陽 (1112-1170), ex-Confucian official • Interiorizes previously external practices (e.g., alchemy) • Spiritualizes previously physical goals (e.g., immortality) • Syncretistic blend of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism • Ascetic in character and monastic in organization

INNER ALCHEMY (NEIDAN 内丹)

SEVEN TAOIST MASTERS (Qidaoshi七道師) • “Folk novel”: compiled by unknown author from oral sources • Possibly as early as Ming 明 (1368-1644), but probably dating from early Qing 清(1644-1911) • Describes “Seven Perfecteds of the North” (Beiqizhen 北七真) • Provides “road map” to Quanzhen spiritual path

MA DANYANG 馬丹陽(1100s) • Converted by Wang Chongyang along with his wife, Sun Bu’er 孫不二 • PROBLEM: complacency • SOLUTION: simplicity • SACRIFICE: wealth

SUN BU’ER 孫不二 (1119-1182) • Converted by Wang Chongyang along with her husband, Ma Danyang 馬丹陽 • PROBLEM: intellectualism • SOLUTION: selflessness • SACRIFICE: beauty

QIU CHANGCHUN 丘長春 (1148-1227) • Succeeded Wang Chongyang as Quanzhen leader • Courted by various emperors • PROBLEM: impatience • SOLUTION: faith • SACRIFICE: security

LIU CHANGSHENG 劉長生(1147-1203) • Became active Quanzhen missionary and eventual head of Quanzhen tradition • PROBLEM: sexual desire • SOLUTION: control • SACRIFICE: reputation

TAN CHANGZHEN 譚長真(1123-1185) • Popularized idea of Quanzhen self-cultivation for solitary laypersons • PROBLEM: pride • SOLUTION: discipline • SACRIFICE: comfort

HAO TAIGU 郝太古(1149-1212) • Became active Quanzhen missionary • Incorporated Chan 禪 Buddhist ideas into Quanzhen • PROBLEM: inflexibility • SOLUTION: altruism • SACRIFICE: property

WANG YUYANG 譚長真(1142-1217) • Emphasized wuwei 無爲as ideal for Quanzhen practice • PROBLEM: competitiveness • SOLUTION: meditation • SACRIFICE: respect

THEMES INSEVEN TAOIST MASTERS • Importance of isolation in self-cultivation: • Spatial isolation • Social isolation • Importance of discipline in self-cultivation: • Physical discipline • Mental discipline • Harmony of the “Three Teachings” (Sanjiao 三教): • Buddhism • (Neo-) Confucianism • Taoism

The Taoist “Renaissance”