Product Code Database
The Quanzhen School (全真: Quánzhēn, "All-True", Complete Perfection, Integrating Perfection or Complete Reality) is currently one of the two dominant denominations of Daoism in China. It originated in the Shandong peninsula in 1170.Kirkland, Russell (2004). Taoism: The Enduring Tradition p. 106. London and New York: Routledge. .
One of its founders was master Wang Chongyang (1113–1170). When the Mongols invaded China the Quanzhen Taoists exerted great effort in keeping the peace, thus saving most Han Chinese lives.
Qiu Chuji, a major disciple of Wang, founded the Dragon Gate lineage (龍門派 Lóngmén pài), along with the White Cloud Monastery in Beijing. This tradition remains one of the largest Taoist sects in China today.
After these, the writings of Wang Chongyang are also important. One particularly influential text of his is the Lijiao shiwu lun ( Fifteen discourses to Establish the Teachings). In the Longmen (Dragon Gate) sub-school of Quanzhen, the writings of Qiu Chuji are also important.
The Waidan tradition has been largely replaced by Neidan, as Waidan was a sometimes dangerous and lethal pursuit. Quanzhen focuses on internal cultivation of the person which is consistent with the pervading Taoist desire for attaining Wu wei, which is essentially unconscious action.
Like most Taoists, Quanzhen priests were particularly concerned with longevity and immortality through alchemy, harmonising oneself with the Tao, studying the Five Elements, and ideas on balance consistent with Yin and Yang theory. The school is also known for using Buddhist and Confucian ideas.
Wang believed that the three teachings, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism were like three legs of a tripod, and promoted study of the Confucian Classic of Filial Piety and the Buddhist Heart Sutra. (2025). 9780393973747, W. W Norton. ISBN 9780393973747
The new Quanzhen school was highly popular in Jin-ruled Northern China as a reaction against the privileged place of Jurchens in the civil service examinations. It did not spread to the Southern Song, however. (2025). 9780393973747, W. W Norton. ISBN 9780393973747
After seven years of living in the Mountain (three inside the grave and another four in a hut he later called "Complete Perfection Hut"), Wang met two of his seven future disciples, Tan Chuduan and Qiu Chuji. In 1167, Wang traveled to Shandong and met Ma Yu and Ma's wife Sun Bu'er who became his students. These and others would become part of the seven Quanzhen disciples, who were later known as the Seven Masters of Quanzhen.
After Wang's departure, it was left to his disciples to continue expounding the Quanzhen beliefs. Ma Yu succeeded Wang as head of the school, while Sun Bu'er went on to establish the Purity and Tranquility School, one of the foremost branches of Quanzhen.
Another notable disciple of Wang was Qiu Chuji who founded the famous White Cloud Monastery in Beijing. Qiu Chuji was the founder of the school called Dragon Gate Taoism. Qiu was on good terms with the Mongols ruler Genghis Khan who put him in charge of religious affairs similar to Mongol-controlled Iran. As a result, the Quanzhen School of Taoism continued to flourish long after Wang's death, right through to the present.
|
|
