Taiyi Dao, an important branch of Taoism
paulpengDetailed Introduction to Taiyi Dao of Taoism
The story of Taiyi Dao began in 1138 AD, the first year of the Tianjuan reign of the Jin Dynasty. In Weihui, Henan Province, a man named Xiao Baozhen founded Taiyi Dao. During this period, the land of China was in a state of confrontation between the Song and Jin dynasties. Wars raged, and the common people lived in abject misery. Frequent wars not only displaced countless people but also left indelible scars on their hearts. Against this backdrop, people yearned for spiritual solace and peace in life. The emergence of Taiyi Dao was like a glimmer of dawn in the darkness, bringing hope to people.
Xiao Baozhen, the founder of Taiyi Dao, had a keen interest in Taoist doctrines since childhood. He delved deep into the thoughts of Laozi and achieved a profound understanding of the Tao.(What is the Tao?) Legend has it that during his cultivation, he received a secret talisman bestowed by an immortal saint, which became an important opportunity for him to establish Taiyi Dao. From then on, he used this mysterious talisman technique to help the people, praying for blessings and exorcising evil. Whether it was praying for rain to end a drought or expelling evil spirits to cure diseases, his magic seemed to have miraculous effects. "Prayers and incantations were always effective," and soon his fame spread far and wide. His kind deeds and extraordinary abilities attracted numerous people to seek help and protection, and more and more people began to believe in the doctrines he preached.
Unique Beliefs and Doctrines
The beliefs and doctrines of Taiyi Dao are unique and rich, embodying profound Taoist wisdom and humanistic care.
1. Reverence for the "Taiyi True God"
Taiyi Dao takes the "Taiyi Three Yuan Talisman Technique" as its theoretical pillar and reveres the "Taiyi True God" as the supreme being. In the belief system of Taiyi Dao, the Taiyi True God resides in the Purple Palace at the center of the heavens, governing the Five Emperors and being the master of all things in the universe. "The Purple Palace is the residence of Taiyi." It symbolizes the purest and most primordial power in the universe, the origin and destination of all things. The believers of Taiyi Dao firmly believe that the Taiyi True God possesses infinite divine power, capable of blessing all living beings and bestowing peace and good fortune upon people. This reverence for the Taiyi True God permeates the daily practices and various religious rituals of Taiyi Dao, becoming the core of the believers' spiritual sustenance.
2. Self - cultivation with the Doctrines of Laozi
Taiyi Dao takes the thoughts of Laozi as the criterion for self - cultivation, emphasizing that "becoming an immortal or a Buddha is not difficult; just adhering to the word 'weakness' is enough." In the view of Taiyi Dao, the concept of "weakness overcomes strength" advocated by Laozi is the key to self - cultivation. "Weakness" does not mean being weak and incompetent but rather a kind of wisdom of conforming to nature and not competing with all things. It requires believers to maintain inner tranquility and humility, not to be influenced by worldly desires and disputes. In life, they should face everything with a peaceful mind, just like water. Although weak, water can embrace all things and overcome the strong with its softness. This concept of self - cultivation not only helps believers improve their spiritual realm but also guides them to practice Taoist moral principles in dealing with others and pursue harmonious co - existence with nature and others.
3. The Art of Witchcraft and Blessing and Saving People
Taiyi Dao uses the art of witchcraft to help people. "Praying for blessings, incantations, and exorcising evil" are important ways for it to help the world. When Xiao Baozhen founded Taiyi Dao, he used the secret talisman bestowed by the immortal saint to pray for people to eliminate disasters, and his magic was "always effective." At that time, with limited medical conditions, people were often helpless in the face of diseases and disasters. The witchcraft of Taiyi Dao provided people with both spiritual comfort and practical help. They exorcised evil spirits and cured diseases for patients and prayed for peace through rituals such as chanting mantras, drawing talismans, and praying. These seemingly mysterious magic arts embody reverence for life and concern for human suffering, reflecting the purpose of Taiyi Dao to "benefit things and help people."
The World of Talismans in Taiyi Dao
Talismans, as mysterious elements in the beliefs of Taiyi Dao, carry profound cultural connotations and religious significance. They are not only a unique symbol system but also an important tool for believers to communicate with the gods and pray for blessings. Throughout the development of Taiyi Dao, talismans have always occupied a central position. They come in various types, have a wide range of uses, and contain endless mysterious power.
1. Types and Uses of Talismans
The talismans of Taiyi Dao are diverse, and each type has its unique use. The body - protecting talisman is a shield for people to resist evil and disasters. It is usually crafted into a small shape for easy wearing, such as hanging on a necklace to keep it close to the body or putting it in a pocket to carry it at all times. In the hearts of believers, this small talisman contains mysterious protective power, which can invisibly block disasters for the wearer and safeguard their peace and happiness.
The health talisman is the sustenance of people's prayers for health and recovery. When people are troubled by diseases or hope to prevent diseases, the health talisman becomes their light of hope. Believers believe that placing the health talisman in a prominent place at home or beside the bed can make it exert its magical power, regulate the flow of energy in the body, promote health, and help patients recover soon.
The fortune - bringing talisman carries people's yearning for a better life and is used to pray for good luck and happiness. It is often placed in the wealth position of the home or other important locations. Believers hope that it can attract positive energy and good luck, bringing success, wealth, and happiness to themselves and their families. Whether pursuing a breakthrough in their career or longing for a happy life, the fortune - bringing talisman gives people spiritual support and encouragement.
The evil - expelling talisman is the guardian of the family and residence, used to expel evil and negative energy. People paste the evil - expelling talisman on the door to block the invasion of evil spirits at the entrance of the house, or on the windows to prevent evil qi from entering from the outside, or on furniture to protect the entire family and residence. In the understanding of believers, the evil - expelling talisman can repel evil spirits, protect against malicious attacks, and keep the entire family and residence free from evil harassment.
2. The Significance of Talismans in Belief
In the belief system of Taiyi Dao, talismans have an irreplaceable special significance. They are the bridge between believers and the gods, regarded as mysterious tools for communicating with the spiritual world. Through talismans, believers believe that they can convey their inner wishes and prayers to the gods, and the gods can also respond and bless through the talismans. In their hearts, every symbol and stroke on the talisman contains the will and power of the gods, which is a special language of communication between the celestial realm and the human world.
At the same time, talismans are also an important medium for praying for blessings. Whether it is the wish for personal health, peace, and good fortune, or the good wishes for the family and society, believers use talismans to express them. During important festivals, ceremonies, or when facing difficulties, they will piously pray for talismans, integrating their hopes and beliefs into them, expecting the gods to hear their voices and bestow the blessings they desire.
In addition, talismans are believed to have protective power. It is like an invisible barrier that can protect believers from the invasion of evil forces and escort them in the various challenges and dangers of life. This protection is not only reflected in the material level but also in the spiritual level, giving believers a sense of security and confidence, enabling them to maintain a firm belief in the face of life's difficulties.
The Course of Inheritance and Development
1. Initial Establishment and Early Spread
In the early days of the establishment of Taiyi Dao, Xiao Baozhen only preached at home. With his unique talisman magic and kind deeds of helping the people, he attracted more and more believers. As the number of believers continued to increase, the original preaching place became crowded and small, making it difficult to meet the growing needs of religious activities. Therefore, Xiao Baozhen built a simple thatched hut on the site of the Sanqing Temple in the east of the county as a new preaching base. Although this thatched hut was simple, it became an important base for the development of Taiyi Dao.
After that, the influence of Taiyi Dao gradually expanded from Weihui, Henan to Shandong and Hebei. The disciples of Xiao Baozhen actively preached in various places. They built Taoist temples such as Taiyi Hall, Taiyi Palace, and Wanshou Palace, providing places for believers to practice and worship. These Taoist temples were not only the centers of religious activities but also important platforms for spreading the doctrines and culture of Taiyi Dao. In this process, the community of believers in Taiyi Dao continued to grow, and its doctrines and magic arts were more widely spread.
2. The Glory of the Prime Period
The Jin and Yuan dynasties were the prime period of the development of Taiyi Dao. During this period, Taiyi Dao received strong support from the rulers and ushered in unprecedented opportunities for development. In the eighth year of the Huangtong reign of Emperor Xizong of the Jin Dynasty (1148 AD), Xiao Baozhen was summoned to the capital because of his miraculous talisman magic and good reputation. At that time, the empress was seriously ill, and the imperial doctors in the palace were at a loss. Xiao Baozhen used his unique talisman magic to exorcise ghosts and cure the empress, and miraculously, the empress recovered. This incident made Xiao Baozhen famous far and wide and also made Taiyi Dao highly appreciated by Emperor Xizong of the Jin Dynasty. Emperor Xizong not only rewarded a large amount of property but also bestowed the name "Taiyi Wanshou Guan" on the Taiyi thatched hut in Weizhou where Xiao Baozhen lived, which greatly enhanced the status of Taiyi Dao.
After that, Taiyi Dao developed extremely prosperously in the Jin Dynasty. In the Yuan Dynasty, Taiyi Dao was still highly respected by the rulers. Before ascending the throne, Kublai Khan, the Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty, had heard of Taiyi Dao and admired its doctrines and cultivation methods. He summoned the heads of Taiyi Dao several times to discuss religious and governance issues with them. With the support of Kublai Khan, the development of Taiyi Dao was even more rapid. During the tenure of Xiao Jushou as the head of the sect, Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty bestowed the title "Taiyi Evolution Zhenchang True Man" and specially ordered him to build a Taiyi Guangfu Wanshou Palace in both Dadu (now Beijing) and Karakorum (now in Mongolia). These two magnificent Taoist temples became important religious centers of Taiyi Dao in the Yuan Dynasty. When holding sacrificial ceremonies, the funds were all provided by the national treasury, which fully demonstrated the attention and support of the Yuan rulers for Taiyi Dao.
With the support of the rulers, the number of believers in Taiyi Dao increased sharply, and Taoists were everywhere. Whether in prosperous cities or remote villages, there were believers in Taiyi Dao. They followed the doctrines of Taiyi Dao, cultivated themselves with the doctrines of Laozi, and helped the world with the art of witchcraft, playing a positive role in society. At the same time, Taiyi Dao actively participated in social welfare undertakings, such as relieving victims of disasters and curing diseases, winning the respect and love of the general public. During this period, Taiyi Dao also built numerous Taoist temples. These Taoist temples not only had a unique architectural style but also had exquisite internal decorations, becoming important cultural landscapes of the time.
3. The Transformation of Integrating into Zhengyi Dao
However, in the middle and late Yuan Dynasty, Taiyi Dao gradually declined and eventually integrated into Zhengyi Dao. This transformation was due to multiple reasons. From the external environment, in the late Yuan Dynasty, the society was in turmoil, wars were frequent, and the common people lived in hardship. This social environment changed people's religious needs. The talisman magic and the concept of self - cultivation with the thoughts of Laozi advocated by Taiyi Dao seemed somewhat inadequate in the face of the cruel reality. In contrast, Zhengyi Dao was more flexible and practical in dealing with social changes and the needs of the people.
From the internal factors, Taiyi Dao itself also had some problems. As time passed, there were some difficulties in the inheritance of Taiyi Dao. Its unique inheritance method required non - Xiao - surname successors to change their surname to Xiao, which to some extent restricted the selection and cultivation of talents. At the same time, Taiyi Dao was relatively conservative in its doctrines and cultivation methods, lacking innovation and development. In the face of competition from other Taoist sects such as Zhengyi Dao, it gradually lost its advantages.
Against this background, Taiyi Dao began to integrate with Zhengyi Dao. From the end of the sixth patriarch Xiao Quanyou to the tenure of the seventh patriarch Xiao Tianyou as the head of the sect, the relationship between Taiyi Dao and Zhengyi Dao was already very close. Xiao Tianyou was on good terms with Wu Quanjie of Zhengyi Dao. Although Xiao Quanyou and Xiao Tianyou still managed the affairs of Taiyi Dao, the sacrifice of the Six Ding was arranged by the Zhengyi Celestial Master. After these two generations of further integration with Zhengyi Dao, after Xiao Tianyou, Taiyi Dao no longer had a separate head of the sect, and it finally seemed to be incorporated into Zhengyi Dao in terms of organization. This transformation marked the end of Taiyi Dao as an independent Taoist sect, but its doctrines and culture were inherited and developed in Zhengyi Dao.
The Social Impact of Taiyi Dao
1. Spiritual Solace for the People
During the Jin and Yuan dynasties, the society was in turmoil, wars were frequent, and the common people lived in dire straits. The emergence of Taiyi Dao provided spiritual sustenance and comfort to the people. Its advocated purpose of "benefiting things and helping people" and the practice of praying for blessings, exorcising evil, and curing diseases through talisman magic gave people hope in difficult situations. Whether facing the troubles of diseases or disasters in life, believers could obtain strength and courage from the beliefs of Taiyi Dao. They believed that under the blessing of the Taiyi True God, all difficulties could be resolved, and life would eventually bring peace. This spiritual support alleviated the pain and anxiety of the people to a certain extent and helped them through difficult times.
2. Contributions in the Cultural Field
Taiyi Dao played an important role in promoting the development of Taoist culture. With its unique talisman magic and doctrines, it enriched the connotation of Taoism and contributed to the diversity of Taoist culture. During the development of Taiyi Dao, many Taoist scholars and thinkers emerged. They conducted in - depth research and interpretation of Taoist classics, writing a large number of Taoist scriptures and treatises, providing important documentary materials for the inheritance and development of Taoist culture.
In addition, the ideological concepts of Taiyi Dao also had a certain impact on traditional Chinese philosophy. The ideas of Laozi it revered, such as emphasizing conforming to nature and weakness overcoming strength, were in line with the Taoist thoughts in traditional Chinese philosophy, further enriching the connotation of traditional Chinese philosophy. In terms of medicine, although some of the magic arts and rituals of Taiyi Dao were shrouded in mystery, the understanding of the human body and nature contained in them also provided certain inspiration for the development of traditional Chinese medicine.
How Foreign Believers Can Obtain Taoist Tokens and Receive Blessings
For foreign believers who want to obtain Taoist tokens and experience the mysterious blessings from the East, they can do so through the following methods:
Online Taoist Temple Platforms
Nowadays, many Taoist temples in China have official websites or online platforms.,such as Longhu Mountain Store.
On these platforms, believers can learn about the types, effects, and acquisition methods of Taoist tokens. Some Taoist temples also offer online form a bond (the act of forming a bond with the Taoist culture) services. Believers only need to follow the instructions on the website, fill in relevant information, and pay a certain fee (some are free for form a bond, but only postage needs to be paid), and they may obtain their desired Taoist tokens. Before placing an order, be sure to carefully read the relevant instructions of the Taoist temple to ensure that you understand the origin, use, and relevant precautions of the tokens.
Professional Taoist Culture Institutions
There are also some professional institutions abroad that are engaged in the dissemination of Taoist culture. These institutions usually have close cooperation with Taoist temples or Taoist organizations in China. They regularly hold Taoist cultural activities, such as lectures and seminars. In these activities, there may be displays and form a bond activities of Taoist tokens. Believers can follow the official websites and social media accounts of these institutions to obtain activity information in a timely manner and actively participate. In addition, these institutions may also sell some authorized Taoist tokens in their online stores, and believers can purchase them with confidence.
If conditions permit, foreign believers can visit Taoist temples in China in person and participate in the Dharma assemblies and blessing activities held by the temples. In these activities, not only can they experience the religious atmosphere of Taoism up close, but they can also consult the Taoist priests in the temple about Taoist beliefs and cultivation issues. They also have the opportunity to obtain Taoist tokens blessed by the Taoist priests. When visiting the Taoist temple, respect the religious etiquette and regulations of the temple and maintain a humble and reverent attitude.
