The Zhang Yuchu Taoist Thought

The Daoism is a chief component of Chinese traditional culture as well as Confucianism and Buddhism. Based on the long cultural fusion history with other local cultures, the Daoism formed its distinct ideological and belief systems. In the lengthy development history, the Daoism has experienced so many innovations that not only keep Daoism up with the time, but also contribute the progress of Chinese civilization very much.In the core belief of Daoism, the "Dao" is the origin of universe, life and every thing. Based on it, the Daoism values life very much, enjoy simple life and pursues the level of the unity of soul and body, which can be seen here and there in Daoism's scripture Tao Te Ching. Because of its unique philosophy and practice, the Daoism become one of the three major Chinese traditional cultures with Confucianism and Buddhism. In Daoism's more than1800years history, there appeared many outstanding Taoists.The thesis focuses on the Daoism thoughts of Zhang Yu Chu (1359ad-1410ad) who is the43rd leader of Zheng Yi Dao, which is one of the most important sects of Daoism. In the thesis, we firstly introduce the background of early times of Ming Dynasty which Zhang lived in, as well as important things in his lifetime. In the next, we try to analyze Zhang's theory in "Dao", and summarize the distinguishing features of his thoughts in Daoism. At last, we put forward Zhang Yu Chu's status and influence in Chinese history for his prominent contribution in Daoism and Chinese traditional cultures.In early times of Ming Dynasty, the ruler strengthened centralization of authority in politics, and appointed the Neo-Confucianism represented by Cheng Hao&Cheng Yi brothers and Zhu Xi. In cultural field, the Chinese cultures represented by Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism appeared a tendency of fusion at that time. In these backgrounds, Zhang Yu Chu conformed to the changing society and advocated the fusion of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism which became the bright feature of his thoughts. More than this, he did many serious and innovative measures to reform Daoism in order to solve crisis faced by the organization of Daoism.One of the features of Zhang Yu Chu's theory is absorbing the essences of Confucianism and Buddhism. In practice, he stressed the importance of sincerity, disciplines, strictness, etc. Although compared with traditional practice of Daoism, Zhang's practice had no many changes in form; they conformed to the demand of that time and solved the actual problems of Daoism to a certain degree. In short, the features of Zhang Yu Chu's practice are balancing the soul practice and body practice, and taking "Dao" as principal of practice, as well as Learning widely from others'strong points.It is worth mentioning that besides he learning from other cultures, Zhang Yu Chu still pay particular and more attention to inherit the traditional philosophy of Daoism, to develop the doctrine of Daoism based on inheriting its tradition. Moreover, for strengthening the discipline and clearing the atmosphere in order to construct a healthy organization, Zhang Yu Chu did many works in institutional construction. It was just through these important religious reforms that Zhang Yu Chu not only reformed the organization of Daoism in Ming Dynasty, but also developed its theory, and be known as the summarizer and developer of Daoism in Ming Dynasty for these contributions.Now there preserved many works written by Zhang Yu Chu and one of the most famous works is Ten Rules of the Organization of Daoism, which was very important in management of the temple organization of Daoism. Though it is short in space, it is rich in content, which discusses and formulates almost all aspects of religious life in Daoism organization, such as religious practice, selection of temple leaders, learning and teaching, financial management of temples even their Repairing and maintenance. It is undoubtedly that the Ten Rules of the Organization of Daoism is a set of standard of behavior to Taoists at that time.Besides reforming the Organization of Daoism, Zhang Yu Chu pay more attention to absorb the essence of other sects out of Zheng Yi Dao in Daoism, especially Quan Zhen Dao, in order to rich the former's thoughts and promote its progress, which reflects Zhang Yu Chu's broad mind as a leader of Daoism. Exteriorly, Zhang Yu Chu complied with the thought tendency of that time and put forward that finding people's true self is the common ideal of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism, which apparently influenced by Zen. What Zhang Yu Chu had done made great contribution to the inheritance and development of Daoism, which were highly regarded in the history consequently.In a word, Zhang Yu Chu is the most outstanding leader of Zheng Yi Dao in Ming Dynasty and a master of great learning and integrity of Daoism for his fusion work in and out of Daoism. As a leader of Zheng Yi Dao and the Daoism as whole of Ming Dynasty, he exerts his utmost effort to re-energize Daoism. As a religious scholar full of wit, he puts his heart and soul into promoting the cultural construction of Daoism. In the meantime, he judiciously considers the situation and keeps up with the time, which riches the thoughts of Daoism through promoting the fusion of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism. For the above reasons, Zhang Yu Chu is an outstanding Taoist who not only occupied decisive position in Zheng Yi Dao, but also in Daoism as a whole, as well as a good example to Taoists in contemporary times. Therefore, we must pay higher attention to the research of Zhang Yu Chu's thoughts in order to provide a comprehensive theoretic basis for the development and progress of Daoism today.