Quanzhen School
This is 1 of the 2 predominant sects of Taoism/Daoism in China. It started in the Shandong peninsula in 1170.
One of the founders was master Wang Chongyang (1113-1170). When the Mongols invaded China, the Quanzhen Taoists exercised great effort in keeping the peace. This ended up saving the most Han Chinese lives. Qiu Chuji, a major disciple of Wang, founded the Dragon Gate lineage. Along with the White Cloud Monastery in Beijing. This tradition is 1 of the largest Taoist sects that remain in China today.
Their 3 most important scriptures are:
- The Daoejing
- The Qingjing Jing (Classic of Clarity & Stillness)
- Yinfujing (Scripture of the Inner Talisman), a 6th century text
After these 3 texts, the writings of Wang Chongyang are also important. One particular text of his is: the Lijiao shiwu Iun (Fifteen discourses to Establish the Teachings). In the Longmen (Dragon Gate) sub-school of Quanzhen, the writings of Qui Chuji are also important. Quanzhen can be literally translated as “All True.” It’s often called the “All Truth Religion,” the “Way of Completeness & Truth,” or the “Way of Complete Perfection.”
The Quanzhen School pursues the process of “alchemy within the body” or Neidan (internal alchemy). This is opposed to Waidan (external alchemy, which experiments with the ingestion of herbs, minerals, etc.).
The Waidan tradition has been replaced mostly by Neidan. Because Waidan was dangerous & lethal pursuit sometimes. Quanzhen focuses on the internal improvement of the person. This is consistent with the pervading Taoist desire for attaining Wu Wei. This is essentially unconscious action.
Quanzhen priests are concerned with longevity & immortality through alchemy, harmonizing oneself with Yin & Yang.
Wang believed that the 3 teachings, Buddhism, Confucianism, & Taoism, were like the 3 legs of a tripod. He promoted the study of the Confucian Classic of Filial Piety & the Buddhist Heart Sutra.
According to traditional legends, Wang Chongyang met 2 Taoist immortals in the summer of 1159 CE. The immortals, Zhongli Quan & Lu Dongbin, taught him Taoist beliefs & trained him in secret rituals. The meeting proved very influential.
In the 2nd encounter, he was provided with a set of 5 written instructions which led to his decision of living by himself in a literal grave. He created this grave for himself in the Zhongnan Mountain for 3 years.
After 7 years of living in the mountain (3 inside the grave & the other 4, in a hut he later called “Complete Perfection Hut”), Wang met 2 of his 7 future disciples, Tan Chuduan & Qui Chuji.
In 1167, Wang traveled to Shandong Province & met Ma Yu, & Ma’s wife, Sun Bu’er. They would become his students. These, & others, would part of the 7 Quanzhen disciples, who were later known as the 7 Masters of Quanzhen.
After Wang’s departure, it was to his disciples to continue to put forth the Quanzhen beliefs. Ma Yu succeeded Wang as the head of the school. While Sun Bu’er went on to establish the Purity & 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. Qui Chiji was the founder of the school called Dragon Gate Taoism.
The 7 disciples of Wang Chongyang continue expounding the Quanzhen beliefs. The 7 Masters of Quanzhen established the following 7 branches:
- Ma Yu: Yuxian lineage, Meeting the Immortals
- Tan Chuduan: Nanwu lineage, Southern Void
- Liu Chuxuan: Suishan lineage, Mount Sui
- Qui Chuji: Longmen lineage, Dragon Gate Taoism
- Wang Chuji: Yushan lineage, Mount Yu
- Hao Datong: Huashan lineage, Mount Hua
- Sun Bu’er: Qingjing lineage, Purity & Tranquility School
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