Taoist culture in Suzhou

Suzhou Taoism has a long history. As early as the Eastern Han Dynasty and Shun Di period in China, Taoism was introduced into Suzhou. Now the mysterious temple in Suzhou was founded in the second year of Emperor Xianning of Jin Dynasty (AD 276), formerly known as Zhenqing Daoyuan. After Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, Taoism spread endlessly in Suzhou. Before 1949, Taoism was very popular in Suzhou. According to incomplete statistics, there are more than 300 temples in Suzhou (including Suzhou city and Changshu, Zhangjiagang, Taicang, Kunshan, Wujiang, Wuzhong and Xiangcheng). At that time, due to its special geographical position, Suzhou occupied a very important position in the development history of modern Taoism in China.

Taoism has been introduced into Suzhou for a long time. During the Shun Di period of the Eastern Han Dynasty (126- 144), Zhang Ling founded Wudou Mi Dao. At the same time, a Taoist priest Langya traveled to and from the Fifth Congress of Kyrgyzstan, burning incense and reading Taoism, making water to cure diseases. Many people in Wu believed him. According to Lu Xiong's Suzhou Annals and Kangxi's Changzhou County Annals, Zhenqing Taoist Temple was built in the second year of Xianning in the Western Jin Dynasty (276), which is a mysterious view today. There are also many Taoist attractions in the lakes and mountains of southwest Suzhou. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, Taoism flourished with the support of the emperor. Taoist temples have been built. In the Song Dynasty, Tianqing Temple, Tianhou Temple, Daguan Emperor Temple, Fuji Temple, Sanmao Temple, Xuanyuan Palace, Chaozhen Temple and Rangwang Temple were renovated and built in Suzhou. In the eighth year of Dade in Yuan Dynasty (1304), Zhang Yucai, the heavenly teacher of Longhushan, was established as the leader, in charge of Taoism in the south of the Yangtze River. Since then, the orthodox school belonging to the Fulu School has flourished in Suzhou. In the Ming Dynasty, the centralized management of religious activities was strengthened, with the Ministry of Land and Road in Beijing and the Ministry of Dao Ji in the government. To this end, Suzhou also established JiTaoTang. Some Taoist temples have been built one after another, such as Fucheng Huangmiao, Chunshenjun Temple and Wang Anqi Temple. In the early Qing Dynasty, Shunzhi, Kangxi and Yongzheng, from the perspective of winning over the Han people, still followed the example of the Ming Dynasty to protect Taoism. During the Shunzhi period, Shi Daoyuan, a famous Taoist priest in Suzhou, was named "Evolution Master of Yangyuan Baoyi Regiment". Gan Long visited this mysterious temple three times and wrote a plaque for it.

At the end of Qing Dynasty and the beginning of Ming Dynasty, the official organization-Dao Ji Division was abolished. At that time, warlords were fighting, and the Taoist priests in Suzhou founded a Taoist organization called "Five Immortals Taoist Association" in 19 12 for their own interests. The president is concurrently appointed by the abbot of Xuanmiaoguan, Ni. In the autumn of that year, Ni resigned because of the fire in the Mirobo Pavilion in the mysterious temple. The post of president was succeeded by Qin Qinhe, Nobuke of Tianhou Palace in Northwest Street, and the vice presidents were Yan Juecang and Gu. 1938 Lu Zichang took over as the president and abbot of Xuanmiaoguan. Wuxian Taoist Association stopped its activities during its stay in War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. After liberation, the Taoist circles in Suzhou established the Association to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, from 195 1 to 1954, with Xu Hemei as its president. 1954 was reorganized into the Taoist Learning Committee. 1966 during the cultural revolution, the conference activities stopped. 1979 set things right, implement the party's religious policy, and resume religious organizations and activities. 1981September, the preparatory committee of Suzhou Taoist Association was established, and Zhang Dang was elected as its president. After five years of preparation, Suzhou Taoist Association was formally established in198665438+February, and Song was elected as its president. 1992, 1996 and 2000 held the second, third and fourth representative meetings respectively. The current president is Zhang, who is nearly 39 years old. Shi and Bo Jianhua are vice presidents, and Bo Jianhua is also the secretary-general.

Since the reform and opening up 20 years ago, Suzhou Taoist Association has actively assisted the Party and the government to implement religious policies, earnestly carried out educational management, strengthened scientific management, established and improved various rules and regulations, and promoted self-construction. Remarkable achievements have been made in restoring Xuanmiao Temple, Chunshen Temple and Shenxian Temple, carrying forward the fine tradition of Taoism, supporting social welfare undertakings and actively carrying out friendly exchanges with foreign countries. 1989, Suzhou Taoist Association was awarded the "Suzhou religious circle serving the four modernizations" by Suzhou Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau. 1998 was awarded the title of "advanced collective of religious circles in Jiangsu Province serving the construction of socialist two civilizations" by the Bureau of Religious Affairs of Jiangsu Province.