Difference between revisions of "Zhang Daoling" - New World Encyclopedia
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| + | [[Image:Zhang Daoling.jpg|thumb|173px|right|Zhang Daoling as pictured in ''Myths and Legends of China'' by <br>E. T. C. Werner.]] | ||
| − | '''Zhang Daoling''' (张道陵; [[pinyin]] ''Zhāng Dàolíng'', [[Wade-Giles]] ''Chang Tao-ling''), also commonly called '''Zhang Ling''', was | + | '''Zhang Daoling''' (ca. 35-150 C.E.)(张道陵; [[pinyin]] ''Zhāng Dàolíng'', [[Wade-Giles]] ''Chang Tao-ling''), also commonly called '''Zhang Ling''', was a [[Daoism|Daoist]] hermit who lived during the Eastern [[Han dynasty]]. Contrary to the antinomian/apolitical bent of many such renunciants, Zhang had a certain organizational genius, which was manifested in his founding of the theocratic and millennial [[Way of the Celestial Master|''Zhengyi Mengwei Tianshi Dao'']] ("Tradition of the Celestial Master of the Mighty Commonwealth of Orthodox Oneness") sect (also known as the "Tianshi Dao" ("Way of the Celestial Masters") or the "Wudou Mi Dao" ("Five Pecks of Rice Movement"))—one of the earliest and most influential schools of institutional Daoism. |
| − | + | While few of the specifics of Zhang Daoling's life are definitively known, he remains a frequent player in Daoist and popular Chinese folklore, with tales describing both his earthly encounters with the divinized [[Laozi]] and his posthumous adventures as an immortal. | |
| − | + | ||
| + | ==Biographical Sketch== | ||
| + | :''See also'': [[Celestial Masters]], [[Laozi]], [[Yellow Turban Rebellion]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | <earlier life?> | ||
Zhang Daoling went on to found the first regular Daoist church/community as noted above. A major change instituted by the new Covenant was the rejection of food and animal sacrifices. Also, the teachings of Lao Zi as transmitted by Zhang Daoling included the first true Taoist religious pantheon as distinguished from the prior ancient religion of [[China]]. | Zhang Daoling went on to found the first regular Daoist church/community as noted above. A major change instituted by the new Covenant was the rejection of food and animal sacrifices. Also, the teachings of Lao Zi as transmitted by Zhang Daoling included the first true Taoist religious pantheon as distinguished from the prior ancient religion of [[China]]. | ||
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| + | :At the end of the Han dynasty in the late 2nd century C.E., the Five Pecks of Rice Sect founded by the Taoist Master Chang Taoling required its adepts to stay in a quiet room to repent for their wrong doings if they were caught by sickness. Yet this seemingly moral element in the early Taoist religion was not connected with the way to immortality. One of the earliest Taoist scriptures the ''T'ai P'ing Ching'' contains various moral advice to its readers, yet only rarely did these have to do with immortality.<ref>Poo, 18 | ||
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| + | Some also say he was the grandfather of later Daoist and [[Yellow Turban]] leader [[Zhang Jue]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Mythological and Religious Accounts== | ||
| + | According to tradition, in 142 C.E., [[Laozi]] himself appeared to Zhang Daoling on [[Mount Heming, Sichuan|Mount Heming]], and informed the hermit that the world was coming to an end, to be followed by an era of Great Peace. Lao Zi explained that those following him would go on to another life, part of the "Orthodox One Covenant with the Powers" ("Zhengyi meng wei"). Through this covenant, Zhang Daoling and his followers would have access to the assistance of celestial powers who control the fate of mankind. | ||
It is said that Zhang Daoling did not die; he ascended to heaven with his wife Yong and two disciples. One of the Immortals, he is now also known as the "Ancestral Celestial Master" or "Celestial Master Zhang." | It is said that Zhang Daoling did not die; he ascended to heaven with his wife Yong and two disciples. One of the Immortals, he is now also known as the "Ancestral Celestial Master" or "Celestial Master Zhang." | ||
| − | + | ===Zhang Daoling in Religious Practice=== | |
| + | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 08:31, 22 October 2007
Zhang Daoling (ca. 35-150 C.E.)(张道陵; pinyin Zhāng Dàolíng, Wade-Giles Chang Tao-ling), also commonly called Zhang Ling, was a Daoist hermit who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty. Contrary to the antinomian/apolitical bent of many such renunciants, Zhang had a certain organizational genius, which was manifested in his founding of the theocratic and millennial Zhengyi Mengwei Tianshi Dao ("Tradition of the Celestial Master of the Mighty Commonwealth of Orthodox Oneness") sect (also known as the "Tianshi Dao" ("Way of the Celestial Masters") or the "Wudou Mi Dao" ("Five Pecks of Rice Movement"))—one of the earliest and most influential schools of institutional Daoism.
While few of the specifics of Zhang Daoling's life are definitively known, he remains a frequent player in Daoist and popular Chinese folklore, with tales describing both his earthly encounters with the divinized Laozi and his posthumous adventures as an immortal.
Biographical Sketch
- See also: Celestial Masters, Laozi, Yellow Turban Rebellion
<earlier life?>
Zhang Daoling went on to found the first regular Daoist church/community as noted above. A major change instituted by the new Covenant was the rejection of food and animal sacrifices. Also, the teachings of Lao Zi as transmitted by Zhang Daoling included the first true Taoist religious pantheon as distinguished from the prior ancient religion of China.
- At the end of the Han dynasty in the late 2nd century C.E., the Five Pecks of Rice Sect founded by the Taoist Master Chang Taoling required its adepts to stay in a quiet room to repent for their wrong doings if they were caught by sickness. Yet this seemingly moral element in the early Taoist religion was not connected with the way to immortality. One of the earliest Taoist scriptures the T'ai P'ing Ching contains various moral advice to its readers, yet only rarely did these have to do with immortality.<ref>Poo, 18
Some also say he was the grandfather of later Daoist and Yellow Turban leader Zhang Jue.
Mythological and Religious Accounts
According to tradition, in 142 C.E., Laozi himself appeared to Zhang Daoling on Mount Heming, and informed the hermit that the world was coming to an end, to be followed by an era of Great Peace. Lao Zi explained that those following him would go on to another life, part of the "Orthodox One Covenant with the Powers" ("Zhengyi meng wei"). Through this covenant, Zhang Daoling and his followers would have access to the assistance of celestial powers who control the fate of mankind.
It is said that Zhang Daoling did not die; he ascended to heaven with his wife Yong and two disciples. One of the Immortals, he is now also known as the "Ancestral Celestial Master" or "Celestial Master Zhang."
Zhang Daoling in Religious Practice
See also
- Five Pecks of Rice Rebellion
- Way of the Celestial Master
Notes
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Fowler, Jeaneane. An Introduction to the Philosophy and Religion of Taoism. Portland, OR: Sussex Academic Press, 2005.
- Goodrich, Anne S. Peking Paper Gods: A Look at Home Worship. Monumenta Serica Monograph Series XXIII. Nettetal: Steyler-Verlag, 1991. ISBN 3-8050-0284-X.
- Robinet, Isabelle. Taoism: Growth of a Religion. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1997 [original French 1992]. ISBN 0804728399.
- Schipper, Kristopher. The Taoist Body. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1993 [original French version 1982]. ISBN 0520082249.
- Shuhmacher, Stephan and Gert Woerner (eds.). The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen. Boston: Shambala, 1994. ISBN 0877739803.
- Werner, E.T.C. "Jade Emperor" in A Dictionary of Chinese Mythology. Wakefield, NH: Longwood Academic, 1990. 341-352. ISBN 0-89341-034-9.
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