| Laojun, the most important deity enjoying a special prestige in Taoist mythology, was based on the stories of Lao-tzu (about 600 B.C-500 B.C.). The process was long for Lao-tzu to be apotheosized from a person into an important deity of Taoism in ancient China. A study of this process can show the development thread of Taoism from one side and reflect the religious and cultural psychology of the ancient people typically.For more than 2000 years, Lao-Tzu's thought has always been the main point for scholars to research, and its importance in the entire Chinese cultural circle is self-evident. As well the life story and writing age are all the focusing by the so many experts. The books studying Lao-tzu are numerous and it is beyond our ability to develop one more research area beyond those of our forerunner scholars. However, one aspect in Lao-tzu studies is relatively less stressed: the deification process.Chinese philosophy has been greatly influenced by Lao-Tzu's Taoism, from of which generations of scholars had extracted new thoughts from different aspects. And Lao-tzu, the person of for-Qing dynasty,is an explorer of Taoism. His philosophy and book have affect the world so much till now. Lao-tzu was apotheosized into "Taishang Laojun (Supreme Laojun)" in Taoist religion. Many stories were told about his deification. The process began with the prosperity of Theories of Emperor Huang Di and Lao-tzu; then it was developed through the deifications of Lao-tzu by Chu Wangying (Prince Chu named Ying of Emperor Guang Wu) and Emperor Huan in Han Dynasity (202 B.C-220); and it finally ended with Zhang Ling's compilation of the book Lao-tzu Xiang'er Zhu (Xiang Er's Annotation on Lao-tzu), which marked the beginning of Taoism and put Lao-tzu at the status of a hierarch. People always thought the Weird and Demon when we talk about the Daoism. Because so many misunderstanding to the Taoism, Historical experts focusing the Lao-Tzu's theory and his life stories. Since more detailed description about this process can hardly be found. The thesis is organized as follows:First, the main idea of the thought Lao-tzu is briefly introduced; Secondly, this thesis covers the process from Pre-Qin Period (2100s B.C.-221 B.C.) to Tang Dynasty (619-970), with a focus on the basis of deification-the uncertainty of Lao-tzu's life in Pre-Qin Period and the glorification of Lao-tzu by the School of Tao in late Warring States Period (475 B.C-221 B.C.). Since the rulers of the West Han Dynasty (207 B.C-25) believed in the thought of Lao-tzu, and the Upper Classes in East Han Dynasty (25-220) offered sacrifices to both him and Buddha, Lao-tzu himself became a God; Thirdly, the personal factors of Lao-tzu are discussed—the uncertainty of his life, the privacy of his thoughts, and the mysteriousness of his elaboration on Tao principle; Fourthly, the social historical factors are covered through a study of the relationship between the social changes and the deification of Lao-tzu and his Tao Te Ching; Finally, this thesis traces the origin of the title "Taishang Laojun."Through the discussion of the factors leading to, and the historical process of, the deification of Lao-tzu, the brilliant and positive part of Lao-Tzu's thought—its philosophical connotation, democracy, etc—can be made clear. These ideas are still useful to the construction of a harmonious society today. But, the darker part, which the alchemists once blindly worshiped, should be abandoned. To sum up, selective absorptions of his thought—retaining the cream and eliminating the dross—are critical.
|
PDF Full Text Request