Taoist Patronage under the Jin Dynasty

  After the establishment of the Jin Dynasty, due to the differences between the Jurchen and Han ethnic groups, social contradictions under Jin rule remained acute, and the Han people's struggles against the slave-owning system surged like a rising tide. Although the Jin rulers adopted a series of measures in response, such as strengthening cultural exchanges, promoting ethnic integration, and even promoting a large number of Han scholars to important positions in the imperial court, many people neither recognized nor resisted the rule. Instead, they chose the path of passive seclusion.

  In this special context, some new Taoist sects emerged. Among them, the more famous ones included the Taiyi Dao founded by Xiao Baozhen, the True Great Dao founded by Liu Deren, and the Quanzhen Dao founded by Wang Chongyang. These newly emerging Taoist sects were not only religious groups but also organizations for communicate among Han scholars out of office. Once established, they developed rapidly, thus attracting the close attention of the Jin rulers.

  In order to win the support of Han scholars out of office, the Jin rulers did their utmost to win over the leaders of these sects, showing friendliness to them and providing support to the sects they represented. The Jin rulers' system of respecting Taoism continued until the end of the Jin Dynasty. After Weishaowang Wanyan Yongji ascended the throne, the rule of the Jin Dynasty was in a precipitous decline. Although his reign was short, the system of respecting Taoism in the Jin Dynasty still existed. For example, Li Dafang, a Taoist priest who had been favored by Zhangzong, remained active in the imperial court during Weishaowang's reign.

  Shortly after Xuanzong Wanyan Xun ascended the throne, Yandu (the capital) fell. In this precarious situation, he still showed great concern for Taoism, granting names to some Taoist temples for their protection, giving courtesy to Taoist priests, and conferring titles and official positions on them. Aizong Wanyan Shouxu reigned for only ten years before the Jin Dynasty was destroyed by Yuan Taizong Ogedei, resulting in the fall of the country and his death.