Ideas About Time,Space,Subject And Object In Daoist Incantations

Daoism is famous of incantations,which is widely used for prayers and exorcism in curing the sickness,cultivating Dao and assisting the generations,etc. It is one of the most important approaches for Taoists to fulfill religious ideals. At present,the study of Taoist incantations has just been started in the academic circle. Among the research books,an important one edited by Prof. Qin Xitai and Zhan Shichuang is New Dictionary of Taoist Culture,which has deeply explored the historical development,philosophical thoughts,literary values,cultural influence and contemporary inspiration of incantations. Another is Ceremonies of Doaist Ritual Offerings and Incantations,written by Prof. Zhang Zehong. This book elaborates the origin,influence,religious thoughts and function of ceremonies of Daoist ritual offerings and incantations. Additionally,some books on Chinese magic also involves Taoist incantations,such as Magicians in Ancient Chinese Society by Wen Yongsheng (Korea),Ancient Chinese Magic by Hu Xinsheng,Magicians and Magic by Song Zhaolin,Chinese Magic by Zhang Zichen,Ancient Chinese Magic-Origin and Development of Religion by Liang Zhaotao. Of the important articles,Brief Exploration into Daoist Incantations by Prof. Li Yuanguo expounds the formation,connotation,characteristics,function and cultural elements of Daoist incantations. On the Origin and Characters of Daoist Incantations by Liu zhongyu explores the relation between Daoist incantations and primitive culture,characters of Daoist incantations and its cultural meaning,structure and usage. However,taking one with another,there are still few research achievements and it needs lots of deep research.This article firstly reviews the origin and function of Daoist incantations and mainlyexplores the way Daoist incantations deify languages. Secondly,it elucidates the ideas of time and space in Daoist incantations. The author thinks that time in Daoist incantations is of extensity,reversibility,mystery and subject,and that space is of order,mystery,identical form and subject,etc. Thirdly,it studies the way Daoist incantations stipulate particularly subject and object. The author declares that Daoist incantations stipulate subject by form and spirit,and object by immortals and devils. In incantations,praying for immortals and dominating devils show the contradictory movement of subject and object. Lastly,this article points out the special characteristics of thoughts in Daoist incantations. The author thinks that the differentiation has been written off between esse and symbol,integrality and part,interior and exterior in Daoist incantations. Through the effacement,the function of Daoist incantations is formed.