On The Taoist Activities Of Local Officials In The Tang Dynasty

It was a common phenomenon that local officials engaged in Taoist activities in Tang Dynasty.The Taoist activities they engaged in are complex and diverse in form.These activities are not only a religious activity,but also apart of the secular life of officials.From the perspective of literature,these activities contain not only real elements but also many imaginary colors under different narratives.The author first analyzes the political and religious background of the Taoist activities of local officials.The most obvious and primary identity of local officials is a bureaucrat under the political system of the Tang Dynasty.In addition to being subject to the same social changes as others,they also have to experience special encounters in their careers.The grades and functions of local officials,as well as the imperial examination system,vocation,salary,examination courses,derogation and other systems all affect the content and form of their Taoist activities in some subtle ways.The second is to describe the specific performance of Taoist activities of local officials from three aspects: monastic activities,related activities and written works.The historical phenomenon of local officials engaging in Taoist activities not only represents their hidden knowledge,emotions and beliefs,but also the natural development of their ethical and world outlooks.The third is to explore the relationship between local officials and Taoism in Taoism through religious and non-religious contexts.In their palace activities,the political color is extremely strong,and various forms of power such as "theocracy" and "imperial power" are formed and differentiated here.They also played a role in the Taoism of local temples."Taoist Spiritual Examination" has different narrative methods and motives for the Taoist activities of local officials,such as inscriptions and official history.The former is more "private",while the latter revolves around "the emperor" and "world".The fourth is to explore the impact of Taoist activities of local officials on society.Whether in general local social governance or when responding to sudden local crises,local officials involved in Taoism often teach because of "Taoism" and use "Taoism" as a policy.It can be said that local officials' Taoist activities are mixed with transcendence such as their religious beliefs and spiritual needs,and they also have a clear realistic demand for the stability of social order.