Cai Lin-Bo
As a mainlanded religion of
China, Daoism have benn evolveing with China civilization
together. In Middle Ages (Accurately，the
period between Tang and Song dynasty),that the transformation of Alchemy to
Psychological Alchemy in Daoism, is an important history affairs. This is
because of, it not only are a adjustment to technique for fixing the method of
religion of Daoist inner partses, but involve whole the variety process for
teaching doctrine system the religion of Daoism ,for example ,faith the target,
ethics the mindset, thought the method etc.
Generaliy say,
the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy in Daoism , substantially
scribe the innate character change of the spirit of culture of the religion of
Taoism .In front of it, religion of Taoism is mainly pursue to the body long
living to target, withing Alchemy for the
core means, assisting it with xingqi(行气)
，daoyin(导引)
, taixi(胎息) , fulu(符箓),and
zhaijiao(斋醮)etc.They
Constituted a system of out- obtain –energy. However, religion of Taoism, then
start turning the direction take off to ultimate end target with the
pure-spiriting, fixing with the disposition the combinative with the
Psychological technique.The Dao of Psychological Alchemy have established a
system of inner- obtain –energy.
Therefore,it
makes religion of Daoism to be carried by extrovert spirit of ancient China ,
turn into the part which introverted of of main current culture constitute. From
here, valuable craft that traditional religion of Daoism to practice with
creates spirit, may even be occupy to predominate of the position of the
scientic thought with spirit in ancient Chinese history, declined to as well.
That take but on behalf it of, is the choice of the worth a mindset of a kind of
moralization and the behavior method of the introverted . Probably it is already
dated that the concrete fulfillment for obtaining and cognition achievement from
Alchemy of religion of Daoism.But it developed science and technology of
civilization of ancient China. Its spirit of the craft creation and original
science thought, is well worth researching to us today. In fact, the thought
resources which had lost in medieval times is of great value to us now.
Therefore,
In no way can it only be explained by the phenomenon for poisonning caused by
Alchemy, that historic reason of the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological
Alchemy in Daoism. It is not an ample reason for Alchemy decling in Daoism that
poisonning caused by Alchemy, wether from at that time epistemological way for
holding somely of Chinese, or practice the experience level.
It
must be uncovered that there are some error about reason of the transformation
of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy in Daoism. First, the people usually
emphasize excessively fantastic or absurd of Alchemy, who neglect to its logical
and reasonable of character, and its plentifulness of the practically
experience. Second, the people emphasize excessively intercommunity between
Alchemy and Psychological Alchemy in theories form, which neglect to their
differentiation essentially. Substantially, the transformation of Alchemy to
Psychological Alchemy is a crack of cultural spirit ,which the losing of spirit
of out- obtain –energy and the victory of inner- obtain –energy. Third, many
people define Daoist Alchemy to a technique for eternal living, which neglect to
its theological tradition, and cultural function for social ethics, politics,and
economy.
In
brief, as a kind of cultural carry with long history tradition, the
plentifulness of practical experience , and theories system reasonablely, Daoist
Alchemy have a strong vitality. Therefore, its decling may not be caused by only
poison of Alchemy. Reason on Daoist Alchemy’wand must be explained by cultural
source.
In
fact, the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy is an extremely
complicated history process. First, the period of the conversion to Alchemy’s
concept. It is of between Six and Sui dynasty. In this terms, current of thought
of doubting to Alchemy was to be formed gradually in Daoism. Second, the period
of change and crisis at high speed, which is of the early to middle period of
Tang dynasty. In this terms, Daoist Alchemy have been kept both prosperous and
crisis . The crisis of doubting to Alchemy have been developing. Finally, the
period of already set completely, which is of between the end period of Tang and
North-Song dynasty. In this terms, Daoist Alchemy had declined repidly, which
was drived out from Daoism. On the contrary , Psychological Alchemy have develop
at high speed , both theories and practice. There are many investigator on
Psychological Alchemy in this terms,and appearing to a lot of works on it .
It
is more important that the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy
Combined with Transnation of Tang -Song dynasty, which conceived to theories of Chongxuan(重玄学)and
Daoxing(道性).
They laid foundation theoretical
stone for transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy. On foundation of
it, a lot of thinkers established Dao of Psychological Alchemy with independent
and reasonable theories relativily, by through long-term of the fulfillment
grope for with theories developments in period of the end Tang and North-Song
dynasty. That Dao of Psychological of zhonglǚ(钟吕)
have been established , marked formation of Dao of Psychological Alchemy wiht
the beginnings prosperity. In North-Song dynasty, ZhangBoDuan, who
produced works of Psychological Alchemy―wuzhenpian，
founded South-Group of Psychological Alchemy in Daoism, which marked the
maturition of theroy of Psychological Alchemy.
On
the contrary , Daoist Alchemy have wanded gradually. The belif on Daoist
Alchemy, which have enjoyed times of gloriou in Tang dynasty, alread were casted
aside by pepole including Daoist believer in period of the end Tang and
North-Song dynasty. In Song dynasty, Daoist Alchemy, in spite of having glorious
times of huangbai alchemy, were abandoned by believer in Daoism,who had
regarded as dominant technique for prolong life or promise longveity.
In
short, the transformation of Alchemy to Psychological Alchemy in Daoism have
processed with complicated culture choice and change. It is outcome that religion
of Daoism according to theirself
traditional, blended to other culture main factor of human society.