Page 752 - The Encyclopedia of Taoism v1_A-L

7 10 THE ENCYCLO PEDIA OF TAOISM A- L

and 298; Kohn 1997b, 92-109; Qing Xitai 1994, 4: 271-73; Wang Shiwei 1993;
Wang Zhongxin 1995; Zhang Welling 1991
* Yin Xi; Zhenxian beiji; Louguan pai; Quanzhen; TEMPLES AND SHRINES

Louguan pai

Louguan branch [of Tianshi dao]

The so-called Louguan branch is a particular tradition within the northern Way
of the Celestial Ma ters (*Tianshi dao), which arose in the late fifth century and
flourished in the Tang, then lost its impact, and was revived under the Yuan
dynasty. Historically the tradition can be traced back to two events: the end
of the theocracy under *Kou Qianzhi in 448, which left numerous advanced
and dedicated Taoists without a home; and-around the same time-the
establishment of a Taoist institution at the foot of the Zhongnan mountains
(Zhongnan shan ~~ l¥J ill , Shaanxi) by Yin Tong j3' iffi, an alleged descendant of
*Yin Xi, the first recipient of the Daode jingo Yin Tong claimed that rather than
at the Hangu Pass (Hangu guan I1i ~ l§tJ), where Laozi and Yin Xi first met,
the Daode jing was in fact transmitted at Yin Xi's old homestead-awarded to
him by King Kang of Zhou (Kangwang, r. 100513--978 BCE)-which happened
to be Yin Tong's own estate in the Zhongnan mountains, a place he called
"The Observatory" (*Louguan, also meaning "Tiered Abbey") after Yin Xi's
alleged astrological endeavors.
By the 470S, Louguan first appears on the Taoist devotional map under the
leadership of Wang Oaoyi I i!! ~, who expanded its facilities and sponsored
the collection of scriptures and rules. Some texts can be associated with the
school at this time, notably the mystical *Xishengjing (Scripture of Western
Ascension), the precepts book Taishang Laojun jiejing j;:. L ~ u'ttX; ~~ (Scripture
on Precepts of the Most High Lord Lao; CT 784), and the ordination text Chuan-
shoujingjie yi zhujue flIJt§~~ttX;mlEtfJc (Annotated Instructions on Liturgies
for the Transmission of Scriptures and Precepts; CT 1238). In the sixth century,
Louguan leaders played a prominent role in the Buddho-Taoist debates at the
northern courts, while the institution served as a refuge for Taoists persecuted
under Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty in the south. Through this steady
influx of southern teachings, Louguan became instrumental in the integration
of Taoism and eventually rose to serve as a key facilitator of the Tang bid for
power.
In the early Tang, Louguan's patriarch *Ym Wencao (622-88), another al-