Xu Xun: Founder of Jingming Taoism, a combination of Confucianism and Taoism
2022-12-20
In Nanchang New District, Jiangxi Province, there is a famous Taoist temple, the Xishan Longevity Palace. Every year from July 20 to the first day of September in the lunar calendar, a grand temple fair is held here. The people who came here not only came from ten miles and eight villages, tens of miles and hundreds of miles around, but also from Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan and other provinces. At this time, people beat gongs and drums, burn incense and dance, pray and worship to commemorate Xu Zhenjun, the "God of All Heaven". The statue of Xu Xun in Nanchang. Jiao Yuqin photographed Xu Zhenjun, namely Xu Xun of the Jin Dynasty, who was born in Yitangpo (today's Machu Township), Nanchang County, Nanchang City. His life was legendary. His deeds are widely spread among the people and can also be seen in the records of Taoist books. Xu Xun was born with a brilliant insight and a broad knowledge of classics and history. When he was young, Xu Xun was famous for his filial piety in his village. In the first year of Taikang in Jin Dynasty (280 years), Xu Xun took the post of Jingyang Order of Shujun (now Sichuan). He was known as "Xu Jingyang" for his honest and upright officials. At that time, the folk song of "No one steals, no officials cheat. We live, but we are ill and powerless" spread in Shu. We can see Xu Xun's merit, the people's love for him and his reputation. Ten years later, Xu Xun abandoned his official position and returned to the east. The people in Shu had no idea to keep him, so they set up a shrine for him to worship him like a god, and hung a portrait of Xu Xun at home. Some people won Liang Jingcong and reluctantly sent him thousands of miles away. Some even followed him all the way to Nanchang, where they settled down not far from Xu Xun's house and changed their surname to Xu Family Camp. This place name still exists today. After abandoning officials and returning to their hometown, Jiangxi and the two lakes were flooded. Xu Xun led his disciples to control the water for more than ten years, crisscrossing Nanchang, Xiushui, Wucheng, Fengxin, Hunan, Hubei and other regions in Jiangxi, and leaving a large number of stories about their efforts to control water disasters and eliminate harm for the people. In the process of harnessing the flood, Xu Xun's image is more full, showing extraordinary charm regardless of morality and talent. After the success of water control, Xu Xun returned to his hometown, lived in seclusion, practiced Taoism and alchemy, led his disciples to study the true meaning of filial piety, and walked in the countryside with the virtue of loyalty and filial piety. Jiangxi has often been hit by floods since ancient times. People not only suffered serious property losses, but also their lives were often hanging on the line. People "turn pale when talking about water". In order to survive in the harsh natural environment, people in deep fear of floods need extraordinary heroes to rescue and help, and Xu Xun is their ideal image. Taoism in the Han Dynasty has accepted the Confucian ethics, while Taoism in the Wei and Jin Dynasties has further incorporated such Confucian ethics as doing good deeds and making contributions. The Confucian tradition has the pursuit of the so-called "three immortalities", that is, morality, meritorious service and speech, which are the eternal values that people with lofty ideals diligently seek. When Xu Xun was in office, his government was virtuous and his officials were incorruptible. He won a broad mass base. After he became an official, he dealt with the flood and solved the problems of the people. He walked in the countryside with filial piety, and was called good. He built an eternal monument with virtue and behavior. Later generations built the Xuxian Temple, which is today's Xishan Longevity Palace, on the Xishan Mountain where he lived, and the Tiezhu Palace in Nanchang to commemorate the "Blessed Lord of Jiangxi". During the Wanli period, Ricci Ricci, an Italian missionary, came to China and wrote in his travels in Nanchang: "The Iron Pillar Palace is a Taoist temple dedicated to Xu Zhenjun. There is a huge iron pillar in the courtyard, with a poisonous dragon attached to it. It is said that it is Xu Zhen
Edit:luoyu Responsible editor:jiajia
Source:mzb.com
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