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Celestial Master Zhang Daoling

wisely_xu
22 Jun 05, 16:33

Celestial Master Zhang Daoling

Master Zhang is the grandmaster in Taoism. He studied the Taoist school of thoughts of Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi, uphold the traditions and customs of the Yellow Emperor(huang di), also known as the ancestor of the chinese civilisation.

He further educate the ppl in Sichuan province, with proper moral values and customs. He observed the ancient shaman practices of rites and rituals, respecting mother nature and heaven.

With all these, and lastly he recieved the divine message from Lord Lao Zi, aka Supreme Patriarch of Taoism(tai shang lao jun), Zhang established TAOISM. The Taoist religion. The only ingeinous religion of the Chinese.
In the Han dynasty. He was the first 'Tian shi' Celestial Master in Taoism. He named his Taoist sect -Zheng Yi Dao, or translated in English - the Orthodox oneness Sect of Taoism.

He run the religion, similar with the modern day how the Pope take care of t he Catholic faith.
Zhang Daoling's devotees spread over China. Han dynasty is thus one of the peak period in the religion's history.

He setup his base in Jiangxi province, the Dragon and tiger mountain.(mt longhu) after he got enlightement in Sichuan province, Mt Heming

Thus, even now, priest from the Zheng Yi sect still get the register(a talismanic style cert that prove the person is really a priest) from Mt Longhu.

Zhang Daoling and his disciple further cultivate the Tao in Mt Longhu and made elixers. Before he consumed the elxier and attain immortality, he had promised himself, to accomplish something for the country before leaving. Thus, he went to sichuan and suppress the demons and educate the ppl there.

Legend has it says that after that, ghost and demons promised him that they only roam the earth when nightfalls. The day is for mankind.

Celestial Master Zhang lived over hundred and he consumed the elxier and attained immortality. His son carried on his duty as the next celestial Master.

Master Zhang daoling's birthday falls on the 18th of the 5th lunar month. (friday, 24 june 2005). Many Taoists will offer homage to Master Zhang daoling.

He is considered one of the Three Founding Fathers of Taoism. The Yellow Emperor who is the origin, Lao Zi(tai shang lao jun), the one who iniate the school of thoughts and Zhang Daoling, who established the religion formally.

His holy name is known as 'xiang mo hu dao tian zun'.
The Lord who suppress the demons and uphold the Truth. He is a power deity in Taoism.
Kinryu69
15 Jul 05, 03:22

Just read a book by a Taiwan Scholar on Daoism. The author mentioned that it is actually more appropriate to say that Laozi is the founder of Daoism then Zhang Daoling. MAny pre-HAN dynasty texts have cited Laozi as the founder. In fact, the theory that Zhang Daoling established the Daoist religion was a result of the Daoism/Buddhism rivalry during the Sui/Tang dynasty. The earliest record of this belief was found in a Buddhist text, claiming that Zhang Daoling is the founder. The purpose being to portray Daoism as a religion that is centuries younger then Buddhism and thus a weaker rival religion. However, the fact is that Daoist beliefs is as old as Buddhism or even older.

Also, before and during the Eastern Han dynasty (which religious Daoism supposedly began), use of the the term "Dao Jia" (Daoist School of Thoughts) and "Dao Jiao" (Daoist religion) were actually being used interchangeably. Examples can be found in texts like the "Lun Heng" by Wang Chong. There was no categorization of Daoism into two parts, the philosophical and the religious version, which is often seen in books written by western academics.

Pretty interesting i think as it is very different from what is written in English abt Daoism history. A great discussion topic.

Anyway, just my five cents worth. Take care for now.
wisely_xu
16 Jul 05, 14:38

Originally posted by Kinryu69:
Just read a book by a Taiwan Scholar on Daoism. The author mentioned that it is actually more appropriate to say that Laozi is the founder of Daoism then Zhang Daoling. MAny pre-HAN dynasty texts have cited Laozi as the founder. In fact, the theory that Zhang Daoling established the Daoist religion was a result of the Daoism/Buddhism rivalry during the Sui/Tang dynasty. The earliest record of this belief was found in a Buddhist text, claiming that Zhang Daoling is the founder. The purpose being to portray Daoism as a religion that is centuries younger then Buddhism and thus a weaker rival religion. However, the fact is that Daoist beliefs is as old as Buddhism or even older.

Also, before and during the Eastern Han dynasty (which religious Daoism supposedly began), use of the the term "Dao Jia" (Daoist School of Thoughts) and "Dao Jiao" (Daoist religion) were actually being used interchangeably. Examples can be found in texts like the "Lun Heng" by Wang Chong. There was no categorization of Daoism into two parts, the philosophical and the religious version, which is often seen in books written by western academics.

Pretty interesting i think as it is very different from what is written in English abt Daoism history. A great discussion topic.

Anyway, just my five cents worth. Take care for now.
Yes. you are right. Lao Tze is much higher respected. He propagate the tao of taoism, he is the incarnation of the Supreme Lord. Zhang, on the other hand, he is the 'founding fathers', which means, he is not the only one. There are 2 before him. Yellow Emperor and Lao Zi.

Zhang Daoling, although he never founded taoism, but the great work of formally establishing it as a formal religion will be recongized.