The Study On Taoist Culture Of Yuquan Temple In Tianshui(1276-1911)

Tianshui Yuquan Temple,as the first Taoist temple in southeastern Gansu Province,epitomizes the development and evolution of Quanzhen Daoism in Tianshui and even in Northwest China.In the context of the growing research on the history of region Taoism,it is necessary to make a deep study on the Taoism culture of Yuquan temple in Tianshui.This paper,focusing on the inscription materials of Yuquan Temple,combines the local chronicles and the notes of literati,uses the interdisciplinary research methods of history,religion and philology to outline the background and development of Yuquan Temple in Tianshui,and reveals the cultural characteristics and far-reaching influence.Geographical environment restricts the development of human society,and at the same time provides warm soil for human activities.The natural geographical environment and human geographical environment of Tianshui are the necessary conditions for the formation of Taoist culture.The sustainable development of Taoism since the Han Dynasty is a favorable factor for Quanzhen Daoism to take root in Tianshui.Liang Zhitong’s long-distance,adventurous missionary and conceptual activities are the important reasons for the rise of Yuquan Temple.With the support of all walks of life in Tianshui Society,the development of Yuquan Temple is a thriving scene.From Yuan Dynasty to Qing Dynasty,the scale of Yuquan Temple was expanding,its palace buildings are mainly distributed on the main and secondary axes,among them,the buildings related to the faith of immortals in Quanzhen Daoism are located on the main axes,while the buildings related to Tianshui folk beliefs are located on the sub-axes.Taoists are the main participants in Taoist activities,there are a large number of Taoists in Yuquan Temple,the inheritance of Taoism also has its own unique laws.The integration of the three religions is the consistent thought of Quanzhen Daoism.As a Taoist temple with Quanzhen Daoism culture as the mainstream,Yuquan Temple presents the characteristics of the integration of Confucianism,Buddhism and Taoism.With the passage of time,under the general trend of secularization of Taoism,Yuquan Temple also shows a certain tendency of secularization,which is another feature of Taoism culture of Yuquan Temple.The interaction between Taoism of Yuquan Temple and Tianshui local society is extensive and profound.For the officials,in order to strengthen their control over Tianshui,their power infiltrated into Yuquan Temple in various ways.For ordinary people,The Yuquan Temple absorbs a large number of folk beliefs.Taoist culture blends folklore together.The worship ceremony has been flourishing ever since.For businessmen,they participate in charitable donation activities related to Yuquan Temple,in order to obtain the protection of gods and improve their popularity.For literati and refined scholars,it is a great pleasure to drink,write poems and sit and prattle about the general principle in the Yuquan Temple.In short,Yuquan Temple is not only an important religious place in Tianshui,but also has the nature of local public space.Its Taoist culture penetrates into all aspects of Tianshui regional culture and has far-reaching influence.