A Study On The Taoist Nuns Of Quanzhen Doctrine In Jin And Yuan Dynasties

Founded in the period of Dading and Zhenglong in Jin Dynasty, Quanzhen Doctrine was the most influential and powerful "new school of Taoism" at that time. Due to the prejudice of compiling traditional bibliographical history books, TaoistNuns in Jin and Yuan dynasties was a part of Taoist groups and participants in an absolute sense, but they were seldom seen in the bibliographical history books of Quanzhen Doctrine including The Story of Seven Globeflowers, The Record of Xianyuan in Ganshui, The Biography of Taoism in Zhongnan Mountain and The Sequel of History of Real Taoism. The total of Taoist Nuns at that time was not correctly recorded by figures in historical data like in Tang and Song dynasties. However, we could know a little about it from the poem of the leading figure of Quanzhen Doctrine named "To Taoist Nuns" and the proportion of male and female Taoists on some tombstones in Jin and Yuan dynasties. It is worth rejoicing that these inscriptions not only recorded the lifetime, reasons for becoming Taoists and achievements in Taoism for Taoist Nuns in Jin and Yuan dynasties, but also included the religious life of individuals or groups in Taoism and the social evaluations on Taoist Nuns at that time. An inscription can usually verify the history of a school of Taoism.Totally different from Taoist Nuns in Tang dynasty, Taoist Nuns of Quanzhen Doctrine in Jin and Yuan dynasties lived a rigorous and quiet monastic life with noble moral sentiments. Harming themselves and practicing Taoism, most of them were desireless, steadfast and indifferent. The word "Shou"、"Dao"、"Miao"frequently appeared in their names. Because of the loose religious policy of the ruler at that time and the power of Quanzhen Doctrine in the aspect of religious reform, the influence of Taoist Nuns on the religious affairs inside and outside of Quanzhen Doctrine was on the rise. Taoist Nuns were well respected in the system of Taoism. Therefore, some outstanding female characters started to appear in the field of Taoism, such as Sun Buer, Wole Shoujian, Aodun Miaoshan, Zi Shoushen and so on. The ways of practicing Taoism for female Taoists also made significant breakthroughs. Thus, "nudan" designed according to the unique physiological and psychological traits of women appeared. The transformation of the way of practicing Taoism was influenced by the internal reforms of Taoism, the development of gynecology of traditional Chinese medicine and the combination of three religions. The development of Taoist Nuns entered a new period.Quanzhen Daoists Taoist Nuns in Jin and Yuan dynasties are a thriving powerful team founded by Quanzhen Daoists. They made great efforts in establishing or renovating deserted Taoist temples resulting from wars. Taoist Nuns who practiced Taoism to a higher level were invited by Taoists to act as the hosts of Taoist temples and hold important positions in Taoist temples. These Taoist Nuns committed themselves to developing the cause of Taoism in their lifetime. For them, Taoist temples were not only a shelter in the era of wars, but also a platform for them to improve themselves and realize their value, which had a meaningful impact without doubt in the feudal society in which "Men enjoy higher status than women" and "Women should follow three obediences and four virtues". The active activities of Quanzhen Daoists Taoist Nuns showed the creativity of ancient Chinese women, wrote an unusual page for the history of Chinese women, reflected their valuable spirit of pursuing independence, equality and freedom in the feudal society and demonstrated a different life attitude.Main framework of the paper divided into three chapters:Chapter 1:Through reviewing the study of female achieving immortality in Taoism, the author draws forth a special group in Taoism known as Taoist Nuns and the historical origin of the Taoist Nuns. Then, the author analyzes the size, the reasons to become Taoist, the representatives and their achievements of Taoist Nuns group of Quanzhen Doctrine in Jin and Yuan dynasties. Meanwhile, the author discusses the attitude of Quanzhen Doctrine towards women.Chapter 2:The author briefly introduces the general ways of Taoism cultivation and the cultivation life of Taoist Nuns of Quanzhen Doctrine in Jin and Yuan dynasties. Then, the author points out that these ways of Taoism cultivation are different from that in Tang Dynasty, and transfer of the way of Taoism cultivation of Taoist Nuns of Quanzhen Daoists in Jin and Yuan dynasties has its internal logic and history soil. Lastly, the author gives a brief introduction of the principle of Feminine Alchemy.Chapter 3:The author carries on analysis on the contribution of Taoist Nuns in Jin and Yuan dynasties for the development of Taoism, and the role Taoist Nuns play in the establishment and prosperity of Quanzhen Doctrine. Taoist Nuns play an important role in the spread of Taoism culture and are also an important and powerful team.