Page 699 - The Encyclopedia of Taoism v1_A-L
P. 699
LIN LINGSU
who also came from Shu and was a diviner, became extremely popular in the
southern Yangzi region. Ge Hong knew witnesses who attended his heal-
ing rituals performed with talismans (*FU) and holy water. According to his
report, Li's tradition had spread throughout southern China, and other more
or less successful prophets named Li had appeared whom Ge denounced as
charlatans. Later, the Northern Wei court's Celestial Master, *Kou Qianzhi
(365?-448), also angrily revolted against diviners who called themselves Li
and abused the people (*Laojun yinsongjiejing, 5b-6a). Prophets named Li or
*Li Hong (Laozi's appellation as the messiah), however, continued to arise in
south China during the Six Dynasties, especially in the Wu and Shu regions.
Some of them led popular, millenarian-type rebellions and were executed.
Christine MOLLIER
m Campany 2002, 212-18; Hu Fuchen 1989, 54-56; Ofuchi Ninji 1964, 496-517;
Qing Xitai 1994, I: 97-IOI; Yamada Toshiaki 1977
~ MESSIANISM AND MILLENARIANISM
Lin Lingsu
I076-1I20; original ming: Ling' e ~ ~; zi: Tongsou @:SIl
Lin Lingsu, a *Shenxiao master from Wenzhou iftil )+[ (Zhejiang) who gained
the support of Song Huizong (r. lIOO-II25), has for many centuries been one
of the most famous (or infamous) figures in the history of Taoism; he has
also been among the most misunderstood. One key factor responsible for
this unfortunate state of affairs is that Huizong presided over the catastrophic
collapse of the Northern Song (96o-lI27), and for centuries (including up to
the present day) Chinese historians have blamed the fall of that once proud
dynasty on his lavish lifestyle and Taoist beliefs. As a result, those Taoists
Huizong befriended, particularly prominent individuals like Lin Lingsu, have
been repeatedly castigated for their negative influence on the throne (Strick-
mann 1978b; Zimmerman 1975).
The earliest accounts of Lin's life, including the Lin Lingsu zhuan ~*'l!!~
f,\IJ (Biography of Lin Lingsu) by Geng Yanxi JtlcNffi (fl. lI27), which served
as the basis for Lin's biography in the Bintui lu ~ ill jit (Records Noted Down
after the Guests Have Departed) by Zhao Yushi m
