In the vast long river of history, the Zheng Yi School of Taoism is like a shining pearl, emitting a mysterious and unique radiance. As one of the important schools of Chinese Taoism, the Zheng Yi School has a long history and profound cultural heritage. Today, let us step into the world of the Zheng Yi School of Taoism, explore its origin and development, and feel the authentic charm of the Taoist tradition.
I. The origin of the Zheng Yi School of Taoism
The founder of the Zheng Yi School is Zhang Daoling of the Han Dynasty. Zhang Daoling, originally named Zhang Ling, with the courtesy name Fuhan, was from Fengyi, Peiguo (now Fengxian County, Jiangsu Province). He was intelligent since childhood and had a strong interest in Huang-Lao learning. When he grew up, Zhang Daoling visited famous mountains and great rivers to seek the way of longevity. Eventually, he came to Longhushan in Jiangxi Province to practice and preach.
It is said that in the second year of Yongyuan (90 AD), Zhang Daoling passed through Poyang Lake and crossed the Xinjiang River to Yunjin Mountain (later renamed Longhushan because dragons and tigers appeared after the elixir was refined). In the same year, he claimed to have received a personal descent from Tai Shang Lao Jun and was granted the "Three Heavens Orthodox Dharma", as well as the titles of "Orthodox Techniques and Dharma Texts of the Zheng Yi School" and "The Orthodox and Majestic Wonderful Scripture of the Zheng Yi Covenant". He was named "The True Person of the Three Heavens Dharma Master and the Zheng Yi School". This series of legendary experiences marked the official origin of the Zheng Yi School of Taoism.
Zhang Daoling established twenty-four religious activity centers in the Bashu region, namely the Twenty-Four Administrations. This is the earliest organizational system of the Zheng Yi School. Moreover, because those who joined the religion had to pay five bushels of rice, the Zheng Yi School was also known as the Five Bushels of Rice Taoism by the world at that time.
II. The development of the Zheng Yi School of Taoism
1. Reforms in the Northern and Southern Dynasties
- Reforms by Kou Qianzhi: During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Zheng Yi School of Taoism ushered in major reforms. Kou Qianzhi, a Taoist priest of the Northern Wei Dynasty, carried out a series of reforms on the Zheng Yi Heavenly Master Taoism. He abolished the hereditary system of some leadership positions in the Heavenly Master Taoism and stipulated that "only the virtuous should be selected", making the leadership of the Zheng Yi School no longer limited to family inheritance but able to select people with real talent and virtue to lead the believers. In addition, he also abolished the original names of the Twenty-Four Administrations, making the organizational system of the Zheng Yi School more concise and efficient. Kou Qianzhi also required that one should not change to another Taoist official at will and abolished the fee for joining the religion. This series of reform measures made the Zheng Yi School more perfect in organizational structure and system and more in line with the needs of society at that time.
- Contributions by Lu Xiujing: Lu Xiujing, a Taoist priest of the Southern Song Dynasty, also made great contributions to the development of the Zheng Yi School of Taoism. Lu Xiujing was born into the famous Wu County Lu family of the southern gentry. He searched everywhere to collate Taoist scriptures and collated the "Lingbao Scriptures" and compiled the "Catalogue of Lingbao Scriptures". This catalogue provided a solid theoretical foundation for the development of the Zheng Yi School, making the Zheng Yi School form an independent force in the south and later known as the Southern Heavenly Master Taoism.
2. Prosperity in the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties
- Tang Dynasty: During the Tang Dynasty, Taoism was highly respected by the rulers, and the Zheng Yi School also developed greatly. At this time, Taoist priests of the Zheng Yi School had a relatively high status in society, and their activity range continued to expand, and their influence gradually increased. Many members of the royal family also believed in Taoism and gave strong support to the development of the Zheng Yi School.
- Song Dynasty: By the Song Dynasty, the Heavenly Master had developed from the leader of one religion to supervising the three mountains of talismans, namely Longhushan, Guezang Mountain, and Maoshan. The first two mountains are both in Jiangxi. The doctrines and rituals of the Zheng Yi School were also further standardized and improved. In the Song Dynasty, the relationship between the Zheng Yi School and the royal family was even closer and played an important role in national sacrifices and blessings.
- Yuan Dynasty: In the eighth year of Dade of Yuan Chengzong (1304), Yuan Chengzong conferred on the thirty-eighth generation Heavenly Master Zhang Yucai the title of "Zheng Yi religious leader and supervisor of the talismans of the three mountains", marking the official formation of the Zheng Yi School as a major talisman school. During the Yuan Dynasty, the influence of the Zheng Yi School expanded further across the country, and its Taoist tradition was more widely spread.
- Ming Dynasty: In the early Ming Dynasty, the Heavenly Master was highly respected. Zhu Yuanzhang, the Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, personally summoned the forty-second generation Heavenly Master Zhang Zhengchang, bestowed the title of "True Person", and conferred the position of the Zheng Yi religious leader. In the Ming Dynasty, the Zheng Yi School of Taoism continued to play an important role in national sacrifices and rituals. At the same time, Taoist priests of the Zheng Yi School also actively participated in social welfare undertakings, praying and treating illnesses for the people, winning widespread social acclaim.
III. The authenticity of the Taoist tradition of the Zheng Yi School
The authenticity of the Taoist tradition of the Zheng Yi School is reflected in many aspects. First of all, the origin of the Zheng Yi School can be traced back to Zhang Daoling of the Han Dynasty. He received a personal transmission from Tai Shang Lao Jun and was granted the "Three Heavens Orthodox Dharma" and other titles, which laid a solid foundation for the Taoist tradition of the Zheng Yi School. Secondly, in the historical development process, the Zheng Yi School has undergone reforms and improvements by many masters such as Kou Qianzhi and Lu Xiujing. Their efforts have made the doctrines and rituals of the Zheng Yi School more standardized and the Taoist tradition more pure. Moreover, the Zheng Yi School was highly respected and supported by the rulers in the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties, which also proves the authenticity of the Taoist tradition of the Zheng Yi School from the side. Finally, in the inheritance process, the Zheng Yi School of Taoism has always adhered to a strict master-disciple system and paid attention to the continuation and inheritance of the Taoist vein to ensure the purity of the Taoist tradition.
In short, as one of the important schools of Chinese Taoism, the Zheng Yi School has a long history and profound cultural heritage. Its origin can be traced back to Zhang Daoling of the Han Dynasty. After thousands of years of development, the Zheng Yi School of Taoism has continuously improved in doctrines, rituals, organizational systems, etc., and the authenticity of the Taoist tradition has been fully reflected. In today's society, the Zheng Yi School of Taoism still plays an important role, providing people with a spiritual sustenance and pursuit. Let us cherish this precious cultural heritage and inherit and carry forward the authentic Taoist tradition of the Zheng Yi School.