A Study Of Taoist Human Theory

As the first systematic analysis of Taoist idea of man, this dissertation gives a complete outline of Taoist human theory, providing an entirely new approach to Taoist understanding of human as well as to the Taoist whole thoughts. Taoism regards man as one unity of body, vital breath and spirit, or bodily life and spiritual nature. On the basis of knowledge of human basic structure, Taoism accomplish its mastering of parts of human body and their relations through the theory of body, vital breath and spirit, the theory of spiritual nature and bodily life, and the theory of organs and vital breath channels. As for the life process, Taoism puts forward its theory about the process from pre-heaven breath to embryo, infant, child, adult, till death or immortality. As for human nature or human values, Taoism fully recognizes human limitations, such as mortality, obstructive body, sufferings, and thus advocates cultivation for immortality to transcend the limitations. The cultivation must be finished in this only life, which is absolute to man. Therefore, cultivation of Tao to attain immortality is the most valuable to human life. Taoism provides a series of principles ways for cultivation, including accumulation of merits, worshiping immortals, fasts and sacrifices, treasuring breath and vital essence, dual cultivation of bodily life and spiritual nature, non-actions in emptiness and tranquility, and returning to pre-heaven. Concrete methods include nutrition, pertaining to One, Visualization, bedroom arts, and inner alchemy and outer alchemy. The outer alchemy was most stressed in early period, while the inner alchemy, which is the way most logically suits Taoist idea of human, in the middle and late periods. After describing Taoist human theory, the dissertation compares it with the human theories of Confucianism and Buddhism and points out their differences. In the summarization of the basic characteristics of Taoist human theory, the author analyzes the innate contradiction in Taoist human theory and illustrates the modern significance and meaning of Taoist human theory.