IOverview
Shangqing, Highest Clarity, is the name of a heaven in the Daoist cosmos and of a major school of the Six Dynasties and Tang. It grew around a body of scripture recorded in southern China in the fourth century and became tied to Mount Mao, hence its other name, Maoshan.
Unlike the exorcistic talismans many people picture at the word Maoshan, early Shangqing was an inward tradition. Its core practice was visualisation: picturing the deities who dwell in the body and in the heavens, together with scripture recitation and breath control. It had a deep influence on the educated elite and on Tang literature.
IIHistory
The school honours Lady Wei Huacun, who lived from 251 to 334, as its first matriarch. Tradition describes her as an aristocratic woman devoted to practice who received scriptures from immortals. Around 364 to 370, Yang Xi recorded revelations he said came from perfected beings, Lady Wei among them, for the Xu family, Xu Mi and Xu Hui. These records form the basis of the Shangqing canon.
More than a century later, Tao Hongjing, who lived from 456 to 536, gathered the manuscripts, compiled the Zhen'gao, Declarations of the Perfected, organised the teaching and its practices, and built a base on Mount Mao near Nanjing. The mountain became the school's seat.
- 251 to 334Lady Wei HuacunHonoured as the first matriarch.
- 364 to 370Yang Xi's scripturesRevelations recorded for the Xu family.
- 456 to 536Tao HongjingCompiles the Zhen'gao, orders the canon and ties the school to Mount Mao.
- Tang dynastyGolden agePan Shizheng and Sima Chengzhen are honoured by the court.
- 1239Registers of three mountains unitedMount Mao becomes one of three talismanic centres under the Celestial Master of Longhu.
- Yuan dynastyAbsorbed into ZhengyiThe school no longer stands alone and shifts toward ritual and talismans.
IIITeachings and Distinctive Features
Shangqing placed the path to immortality inside the practitioner rather than in the alchemical furnace. Among its scriptures, the Dadong Zhenjing, the Scripture of the Great Cavern, was central to the curriculum.
- Visualisation. Picturing gods who reside in parts of the body. Keeping them in place keeps the body whole.
- Journeys to the heavens. In meditation the adept imagines ascending through the heavens to meet the perfected.
- Breath regulation. Breathing coordinated with visualisation.
Yang Xi's scriptures carry an apocalyptic strand. According to Wikipedia, they foretold a cataclysm of fire and flood in 392 that would sweep away the wicked, sparing only the elect. The date passed, but the meditative side of the canon lived on.
Many people equate Maoshan with curses and black magic as seen in films. The original Shangqing school valued meditation and recitation. Talismans only gained weight from the Song onward, when the school had drawn close to Zhengyi.
IVPractice, Ritual and Daily Life
Shangqing practitioners of the Six Dynasties and Tang were usually educated people. They copied and guarded scriptures carefully and transmitted them through rites of bestowal sealed by oaths. Practice took place in quiet chambers on a set schedule, with recitation and visualisation. Many Tang poets and officials were initiated into Shangqing or kept company with the Daoists of Mount Mao.
From the Song onward, Mount Mao served as a talismanic and ritual centre within the Zhengyi system. Its temples, such as the Jiuxiao Wanfu Palace and the Yuanfu Wanning Palace, were badly damaged in the twentieth century and have since been rebuilt.
VOrganisation and Distribution
Shangqing no longer exists as a separate organisation. Its line of patriarchs lasted through the Tang and faded in the Song. Under the Yuan it joined the Zhengyi alliance. Today Mount Mao is a scenic area and a Daoist centre in Jiangsu, and its temples belong to the Chinese Taoist Association. The library has found no figures for the number of clergy on Mount Mao.
VIIn Vietnam
No Shangqing organisation is recorded in Vietnam. The name Maoshan is very familiar, but mostly through Hong Kong films and rumours of charms and sorcerers. People in Vietnam who call themselves Maoshan masters are independent practitioners, and the library has found no source showing that they hold a transmission from the Shangqing school of Mount Mao.
VIISymbol of the Branch
No symbol of its own is recorded with a source for this branch, so the library uses the common symbol of the path.
VIIIOther Branches of Taoism
Zhengyi Dao正一道Descends from Zhang Daoling's Way of the Celestial Masters of 142 CE.Quanzhen Daoism全真道Founded by Wang Chongyang in 1167 in Shandong.Uses the common symbol of the path
Longmen Daoism龍門派The largest Quanzhen line, honouring Qiu Chuji as patriarch, centred on the White Cloud Monastery.Shangqing Daoism上清派 茅山Formed around scriptures recorded by Yang Xi in 364 to 370, with Lady Wei Huacun as first matriarch.Uses the common symbol of the path
Lingbao Daoism靈寶派Began around 400 CE with scriptures compiled by Ge Chaofu in 397 to 402.
Wudang Daoism武當派Tied to Mount Wudang in Hubei and the cult of Zhenwu, the Dark Warrior.Jingming Daoism淨明道, full name 淨明忠孝道Honours Xu Xun of the Jin as first patriarch and took shape in the Southern Song.Uses the common symbol of the pathTaoism in VietnamTemples, ritual masters and cults shaped by TaoismNot a school but the form Taoism takes in Vietnam.Uses the common symbol of the pathIXSources
The library cross-checks the sources below. Where they disagree, the page gives both.
?Quick Questions
Are Shangqing and Maoshan the same
Yes. Shangqing is the school, Maoshan is the mountain Tao Hongjing made its seat, so the school is also called Maoshan. But in popular usage today Maoshan usually means talismanic magic, which is far from the original school.
What is Shangqing visualisation
A meditation practice of picturing the gods who reside in the body and in the heavens. It was the main practice of early Shangqing, in place of mineral alchemy.
Who was Tao Hongjing
A scholar and Daoist who lived from 456 to 536. He gathered Yang Xi's scriptures, compiled the Zhen'gao and tied the Shangqing school to Mount Mao.
Does the Shangqing school still exist
Not as an independent school. From the Yuan onward it was absorbed into Zhengyi. Mount Mao remains a Daoist centre.