Internalization: The Transformation Of Medieval Taoist Alchemy And Cultural Interpretation

As a mainlanded religion of China, Daoism have benn evolveing with China civilization together. In Middle Ages (Accurately, the period between Tang and Song dynasty),that the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy in Daoism, is an important history affairs. This is because of, it not only are a adjustment to technique for fixing the method of religion of Daoist inner partses, but involve whole the variety process for teaching doctrine system the religion of Daoism ,for example .faith the target, ethics the mindset, thought the method etc.Generally say, the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy in Daoism , substantially scribe the innate character change of the spirit of culture of the religion of Taoism .In front of it, religion of Taoism is mainly pursue to the body long living to target, withing Alchemy for the core means, assisting it with xingqi (行 气) , daoyin (导引), taixi(胎息) , fulu(符箓), and zhaijiao (斋醮)etc. They Constituted a system of out- obtain -energy. However, religion of Taoism, then start turning the direction take off to ultimate end target with the pure-spiriting, fixing with the disposition the combinative with the Psychological technique.The Dao of Psychological Alchemy have established a system of inner- obtain -energy.Therefore,it makes religion of Daoism to be carried by extrovert spirit of ancient China , turn into the part which introverted of of main current culture constitute. From here, valuable craft that traditional religion of Daoism to practice with creates spirit, may even be occupy to predominate of the position of the scientic thought with spirit in ancient Chinese history, declined to as well. That take but on behalf it of, is the choice of the worth a mindset of a kind of moralization and the behavior method of the introverted . Probably it is already dated that the concrete fulfillment for obtaining and cognition achievement from Alchemy of religion of Daoism.But it developed science and technology of civilization of ancient China. Its spirit of the craft creation and original science thought, is well worth researching to us today. In fact, the thought resources which had lost in medieval times is of great value to us now.Therefore, In no way can it only be explained by the phenomenon for poisonning caused by Alchemy, that historic reason of the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy in Daoism. It is not an ample reason for Alchemy decling in Daoism that poisonning caused by Alchemy, wether from at that time epistemological way for holding somely of Chinese, or practice the experience level.It must be uncovered that there are some error about reason of the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy in Daoism. First, the people usually emphasize excessively fantastic or absurd of Alchemy, who neglect to its logical and reasonable of character, and its plentifulness of the practically experience. Second, the people emphasize excessively intercommunity between Alchemy and Psychological Alchemy in theories form, which neglect to their differentiation essentially. Substantially, the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy is a crack of cultural spirit ,which the losing of spirit of out- obtain -energy and the victory of inner- obtain -energy. Third, many people define Daoist Alchemy to a technique for eternal living, which neglect to its theological tradition, and cultural function for social ethics, politics,and economy.In brief, as a kind of cultural carry with long history tradition, the plentifulness of practical experience , and theories system reasonablely, Daoist Alchemy have a strong vitality. Therefore, its decling may not be caused by only poison of Alchemy. Reason on Daoist Alchemy'wand must be explained by cultural source.In fact, the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy is an extremely complicated history process. First, the period of the conversion to Alchemy's concept. It is of between Six and Sui dynasty. In this terms, current of thought of doubting to Alchemy was to be formed gradually in Daoism. Second, the period of change and crisis at high speed, which is of the early to middle period of Tang dynasty. In this terms, Daoist Alchemy have been kept both prosperous and crisis . The crisis of doubting to Alchemy have been developing. Finally, the period of already set completely, which is of between the end period of Tang and North-Song dynasty. In this terms, Daoist Alchemy had declined repidly, which was drived out from Daoism. On the contrary , Psychological Alchemy have develop at high speed , both theories and practice. There are many investigator on Psychological Alchemy in this terms,and appearing to a lot of works on it.It is more important that the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy Combined with Transnation of Tang -Song dynasty, which conceived to theories of Chongxuan f#^"#)and Daoxing(^j^). They laid foundation theoretical stone for transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy. On foundation of it, a lot of thinkers established Dao of Psychological Alchemy with independent and reasonable theories relativily, by through long-term of the fulfillment grope for with theories developments in period of the end Tang and North-Song dynasty. That Dao of Psychological of zhongl u ($B) have been established , marked formation of Dao of Psychological Alchemy wiht the beginnings prosperity. In North-Song dynasty, ZhangBoDuan, who produced works of Psychological Alchemy — wuzhenpian, founded South-Group of Psychological Alchemy in Daoism, which marked thematurition of theroy of Psychological Alchemy.On the contrary , Daoist Alchemy have wanded gradually. The belif on Daoist Alchemy, which have enjoyed times of gloriou in Tang dynasty, alread were casted aside by pepole including Daoist believer in period of the end Tang and North-Song dynasty. In Song dynasty, Daoist Alchemy, in spite of having glorious times of huangbai alchemy, were abandoned by believer in Daoism,who had regarded as dominant technique for prolong life or promise longveity.In short, the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy in Daoism have processed with complicated culture choice and change. It is outcome that religion of Daoism according to theirself traditional, blended to other culture main factor of human society.Finally, however, it must be brought to light that the religion of Daoism had really lost its the most valuable main factor of culture ------ spirit of craft creation and of out-obtain -energy, in which translated its belif of Alchemy to of Psychological Alchemy.