Taoism-Economy In Fujian Area Of Song Dynasty

The research on Taoism Economy is of great theoretical significance to understand the ancient world's economic structure, the ups and downs of Taoism in different historical periods and the relationship between Taoism and economy. However, there is little academic study on this topic at present. It is my intention to analyze the general situation of the Taoism-Economy in Southeast China by combining the methodology of Historical Bibliography and Mathematical Statistics. Further investigation of the regulation characteristics of Taoism-Economy in Fujian Area of Song Dynasty will be carried out from the perspective of quantity, distribution, income and expenditure of Taoist Temples. To better depict Taoism in Song Dynasty, all analysis will be based on the ingrained social and economic situation of that time. In a word, the purpose of this thesis is to find out the status and reasons behind Taoism-Economy of Fujian Area of Song Dynasty via Historical Bibliography and analysis on actual Taoist economic entities; and to further understand the real situation of Fujian Taoism development. As portrayed by the thesis, in Song Dynasty, Taoism-Economy of Fujian Area formed the structure of Mount Wuyi of Jianzhou as the economic center of Taoism, surrounded by developed cities like Quangzhou and Fuzhou as its sub-center. The rapid increase in Taoism Temples and remarkable development of the Taoism-Economy are the two main features of Taoism at that time. In Song Dynasty, the whole country's economic center shifted to the south; which simultaneously provided a solid economic basis for the development of Fujian's Taoism. What's more, the Taoism worship by successive emperors of Song Dynasty, the formation of Taoist Center in Mount Wuyi and the secularization of Taoism itself all promoted Taoism-Economy to further development. It is the area's tremendous economic growth that provided a solid material basis for the development of Fujian's Taoism Temples, which was also the reason that Taoism Temples in the coastal areas, such as Quangzhou and Fuzhou developed well.