A Study Of The Thoughts Of Shangqing Sect Of Taoism In Tang Dynasty

Generally speaking,Shangqing Sect of Taoism refers to the Taoist school that mainly propagates and studies Shangqing Sutras such as Shangqing Sutra and Huangting Sutra.From the historical point of view,the Taoist Shangqing Sect was set up during the period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty,which got its name due to the appearance of Shangqing Sutra.Shangqing Sect welcomed a preliminary development during the Northern and Southern Dynasties.To the time of Maoshan Tao Hongjing,it developed to a scale that appeared as a sect.This stage has been generally accepted by scholars at home and abroad as the legitimate existence of Shangqing Sect.However,there is controversy about the legitimacy of Shangqing Sect of Tang Dynasty in the academic circles at home and abroad.It is generally accepted as one of the main sects by domestic scholars.But Japanese Taoist scholar Kobayashi Masami proposed an opposite opinion,holding its nonexistence in Tang Dynasty,which caused widespread concern in academic circles.This dissertation maintains that,although Kobayashi Masami discussed three basic reasons negating the existence of Shangqing Sect,and his points are historically reasonable,but his arguments can not totally deny the existence of Shangqing Sect in Tang dynasty.This dissertation holds that Shangqing Sect of Taoism existed in Tang Dynasty as one of the main sects of Taoism.Taking the existence of Shangqing Sect in Tang Dynasty as a premise,the author makes a systematic and thorough study of the its thoughts.That Shangqing Sect became one of the main sects was due to profound historical and ideological reasons,and the political environment was closely involved.On this basis,the author clears up its historical development and dharma lineage in Tang Dynasty,finding out that it had two main lineages in Tang Dynasty:Maoshan Lineage and Nanyue Tiantai Lineage.Tao Hongjing created Maoshan Sect that later developed into two branches,Pan Shizheng Branch and Wang Gui Branch.And Wei Jingzhao,the fourteenth generation master of Mao Shan Sect,united the two branches into one again.Sima Chengzhen initiated Nanyue Tiantai Branch that was followed by Feng Weiliang-Luqiu Fangyuan branch and Xu Lingfu branch.Maoshan Branch and Nanyue Tiantai Branch was finally united by the nineteenth generation master Wang Qixia.The author argues that,Taoism in Tang Dynasty surpassed Taoism of Northern and Southern Dynasties in its theories.Shangqing Sect of Tang Dynasty established its theory on the basis of "Tao",and taking Shangqing Great Cave Sutra and Huangting Sutra as its main theoretical sources.This sect mixed double metaphysics,Confucianism and Buddhism,and made important contributions to the theoretical system of Shangqing Sect.The essence and origin theory of Tao in Shangqing Sect inherited Laots' Tao theory,absorbed the thinking method of double metaphysics and Buddhism,and consisted of four aspects:the essence and origin of Tao,Tao's mystique,Tao's generativity,and the relationship between Tao and beings.The essence theory of the mind was established on the basis of Tao in Shangqing Sect of Tang Dynasty,which inherited and developed the "spiritual and physical wonderfulness" theory in Shangqing Great Cave Sutra,and which absorbed the mind essence theory of double metaphysics,Confucianism,and Buddhism.This sect established the Dao essence theory,shedding its view of life with characteristics of mind essence.This sect emphasized the role of a quiet and pure mind in practice.Shangqing Sect of Tang Dynasty combined the practice of taking Qi and purifying the mind.On the one hand,it inherited and developed the methods of practicing Dantian,of meditation,of taking Qi in Shangqing Great Cave Sutra and Huangting Sutra;on the other hand,influenced by its mind essence theory,this sect also stressed the importance of "emptying and pacifying the mind",and of improving the body.This is the reason why its practice is called "practice of the mind and body".Its views of society and politics are also important Its great masters in Tang Dynasty had a great ability of political activities,and they maintained a good relationship with the rulers,which played an important role in making Shangqing Sect a mainstream sect;at the same time,its masters applied their thoughts of pursuing Tao and religious practice in theories of governing the society,forming rich social and political thoughts.The theoretical advancements of Shangqing Sect of Tang Dynasty laid a solid foundation for making it a mainstream sect,and provided a theoretical and practical foundation for the prosperity of Inner Dan practices in the late Tang Dynasty and Five Dynasties and of Inner Dan that both practiced the mind and the body in Song and Yuan Dynasties.