On The Life Story Of The Daoist Lin Lingsu In The Song Dynasty

As the founder of the new Fulu Order——Shenxiao Sect,Lin Lingsu had an important influence on the development of Taoism in the Northern Song Dynasty.However,he used imperial power to preach in the late Northern Song Dynasty,later generations criticized him from the political point of view and ignored his contribution to the development of Taoism.In order to understand Lin Lingsu comprehensively and objectively,this paper examines his life story from the point of view of his Taoist identity.Therefore,the study is carried out mainly from the following three parts:First,introduce Lin Lingsu and the social background of him.Through the collation and analysis of historical materials,this paper makes a textual research on Lin Lingsu from the aspects of birth and death years,reasons for entering the Taoism,his teachers and apprentices,etc.Then,analyze the background of the times,understand the opportunity of Lin Lingsu’s preaching and the external motivation of the choice of preaching way.Second,study Lin Lingsu’s missionary activities.By putting forward the "Shenxiao Theory ",Lin Lingsu gained the support of Song Huizong.Then he developing Taoism and Daoju,writing Taoist classics,building Taoist temples,recommending people who has common ideas with him to Song Huizong to spread the theory of Lei Fa,and forcing Buddhists to join Taoism,thus making Taoism develop and flourish.Third,investigate the influence of Lin Lingsu on the development of Taoism.Through a series of missionary activities,Lin Lingsu promoted the rise of Shenxiao Sect and the prevalence of Lei Fa theory.Making the development of Taoism in the Northern Song Dynasty reach its peak,he also contributed to the gradual transformation of Taoism,which is ofgreat significance in the history of Taoism in China.