Conception Transformation From Shenren To Dixian In Taoism

This paper ponders over the transformation in the immortal concept of Taoism.In the writer's view , the formation of the Taoist immortal concept is a process of a"god"transform to"human", specifically manifested in the"Shenren"concept to"Dixian"concept during this changing process. The writer elaborate this subject into three parts: First, introducing the history of the changing course from"Shenren"concept to"Dixian"concept. Second, expounding the changing conditions of"Shenren"concept to"Dixian"concept; Third, discussing the impact of future generations which was affected by this changed immortal concept.In the first part, the writer base on the clues of the times and myth, introducing the transformation process of the Taoist immortal concept. From the Warring States Period to the Qin Dynasty, the ancient myths and the ways of searching longevity indicated that the"God"concept was equal to the"immortal"which emphasized that the athanasy of the life is a"divine"nature, unlike ordinary people. In the Han Dynasty, the immortal concept undergone a subtle change, the god was becoming closer to the"human"existence. After the establishment of the Taoism, The Eastern Jin Taoist scholars Gehong established the immortal concept of Taoism,and put the"God"downgraded to longevity who practicing the longevous knowledge,and even established a"Dixian"concept. This completed the transformation process of"Shenren"to"Dixian"concept.In the second part, the writer discussed the changing conditions of Taoist immortal concept in three aspects. First, the writer expounded the theoretical basis of Taoist longevous knowledge, including the prevailed fame and imagination which were the basis of the"immortal storys",and the ancient notion of learning from the natural. Secondly , the author analyzed the technical feasibility of the Taoist longevity immortality, Taoism mainly absorbed the methods of preserving health which were very popular in the period of the Warring States Period. Finally, the writer introduced the frame of mind in Noble Personage who wandering between the privacy lifes and the political court in Wei Jin Dynasties,and tried to analysis how they affected the concept of the Taoist "Dixian" .In the third part, the author explored the impact of the changed immortals concept from the two perspectives such as the development of Taoism and the culture of society."Dixian"concept was popular in Wei Jin and Tang dynasties , this indirectly facilitated the Taoists changed into a new type which were equal to the literators and officials. And it is also had a directly positive effect to the Taoist"DongtianFudi"concepts which were very popular in future generations ,and also advanced the prosperity of the Taoist temples. From another point of view ,the immortal"Dixian"which was the freest"human"in the Taoist's mind,which had become literators'ideality model, so they jioned into Taoism one after another ,and then promoted the development of Taoism.Meanwhile, the longevous techniques of"Dixian"which were continuously improved by the Taoist enriched the Chinese traditional iatrology ,promoted the traditional pharmaceutical science and the edibility in preserving health study .