The History of the Spread of Spiritual Daoism Outside of China
During the Wei and Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties Period (220-589 CE), Spiritual Daoism spread to Vietnam and influenced the development of its culture and scholarship. In fact, it is true to say that Daoist philosophy subtly and profoundly influenced the entire foundation of traditional Vietnamese thinking. During the Tang Dynasty (618–907), Spiritual Daoism spread from China into the North Korean area, where it attracted a large number of practitioners. At the same time, the philosophy of Daoism had a profound effect upon the development of traditional Korean medicine after it spread into the Southern Korean area. Within Korea, a Classic book was compiled entitled ‘Spiritual Daoism – Philosophical Daoism’ (道教、道家 – Dao Jiao – Dao Jia), which covered the subjects of training the mind and body to build health and prolong life expectancy, as well as explaining yin and yang methodology, medicine, and other profound subjects.
Within the country of Japan, Spiritual Daoism has had a long presence and history, dating to around the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE). Prior to this time in China, the Daoist principle of ‘Immortality’ (仙 – Xian) as well as a ‘transformative’ meditational practice (performed deep in the mountains had been developed and codified), together with a Daoist medicinal system premised upon the careful cultivation of mountain herbs. This communing with nature led to a number of Daoists traversing the great seas that surround China, and traveling to Japan. One such adventurer was the Daoist wizard (方士 – Fang Shi) named ‘Xu Fu’ (徐福), who set sail on a fleet of ships carrying 3000 boys and 3000 girls (around 210 BCE). Today, the tomb of Xu Fu can be seen in modern Japan, together with a Xu Fu Memorial Hall, and other Chinese relics. The idea of venerating the ‘Dao’ (道) permeates all the way through traditional Japanese culture, and can be seen in the martial arts of ‘Judo’ (Rou Dao - 柔道) – ‘Gentle Way’, ‘Karate-do’ (空手道 – Kong Shou Dao) – ‘Empty Hand Way’, and the martial code of ‘Bushido’ (武士道 – Wu Shi Dao) – ‘Way of the Warrior’, etc.
For over a century, Western countries have been actively engaged in attempting to understand Chinese culture to a greater degree. This effort has led to the translation of Chinese Daoist Classical texts into English (and other languages), and the publication and circulation of academic papers further exploring Daoist principles and practice. This has led to an improved understanding in the West of Spiritual and Philosophical Daoism, thus adding to the cultural impact of this mode of thought and action. A foundational aspect of this transmission from China to the West has been the work of ‘Laozi’ (老子), where there has been at least 220 translated versions into foreign languages, together with at least 20 different commentaries. This popularity outside of China, demonstrates the timeless and universal nature of the Daoist philosophy developed by Laozi, a very long time ago.
Within France there has been a strong intellectual interest in Daoist thought and practice. Much of this has historically stemmed from many foreigners spending years living in China, and demonstrating a genuine interest in Chinese culture. This presence has been augmented by Chinese people living in France, and offering instruction, guidance and clarification regarding Daoist methodology, whenever and wherever such interaction has been appropriate and required. In this way a genuine understanding of the Chinese Daoist thought has been developed.
Of course, Russia is a country adjacent to China, and cultural exchanges have had a very long history. In the early days, it was Christian missionaries (representing the Russian Eastern Orthodox Church) that first came into contact with Chinese Daoism. However, following the October Revolution of 1917 in Russia, the study of Chinese Daoism in that country was elevated to that of a ‘science’, when Daoism was recognised as a legitimate path of philosophical enquiry, when it was formally registered with the Ministry of Justice (thereby ‘legally’ protecting it under Soviet law). This is how Chinese Daoism was recognised as a ‘science’ and not as a ‘superstition’ in Revolutionary Russia.
As Chinese people have spread all-over the world, Chinese culture has spread with them. This is how Chinese Daoism has spread to Europe and the United States, although in the early days, the Chinese diaspora was more focused upon private practice of Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism (i.e. ‘ancestral worship’) around family shrines, with occasional Buddhist temples or cultural study centres being developed. However, in recent times, Daoist temples (or study groups) have been developed and built in the West that are designed to ‘share’ Daoist teachings in a universal and inclusive manner. This has been particularly true in the UK, Canada and the United States, where Daoist educational centres catering to Chinese cultural needs, also reach-out to the general population.
As contemporary China continues to develop and flourish, many Daoist temples have forged links with foreign Daoist groups, and operate regular exchange visits and education exchanges. Many foreigners travel to China to gain a more in-depth understanding of Daoist practice, and quite often Chinese Daoist experts travel abroad to render assistance through lectures and practical advice. Every year, many foreign Daoists visit Longhu (龙虎) Mountain situated in Jiangxi province, to receive Daoist instruction and talismanic empowerment. In fact, many domestic and foreign Daoist groups are members of the International Spiritual Daoist Study Forum (国际道教论坛 – Guo Ji Dao Jiao Lun Tan) which co-ordinates these exchanges. The spread of Daoism around the world has been successful because its teachings do not discriminate, are compassionate, wise and open to all without exception.
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2017.
Original Chinese Language Article: http://www.qcyd.org/html/2016/daojiaolishi_0109/147.html
道教在海外
早在魏晋南北朝之际,道教就传入越南并影响了其文化的发展,并对越南文人、士大夫的思想意识产生了潜移默化的作用。唐时,道教正式传入朝鲜。道教在朝鲜除吸引了大量的信奉者外,同时它还对朝鲜医学的发展产生了深刻的影响。而韩国在医学方面,则受“道教、道家”,经典、养生、阴阳学说,医学等影响深刻。
日本和道教可谓历史渊源流长。在我国的先秦时期,成仙信仰使得多少位方士去深山采药、大海中探险。其中,方士徐福就率三千童男、三千童女远达日本。即今日日本乃有徐福墓、徐福纪念馆等遗迹。在日本的习俗中,特别是在对“道”的崇拜中,表现的尤为突出。如柔“道”;为空手“道”;武士“道”等等。
近一个世纪以来,西方国家急需了解中国,加之道教经典的西文译本及其研究性论著不断出版流通,使道家、道教思想在西方的影响进一步扩大。如《老子》一书,各种外文译著共有220余种,包括20多种文字,其影响之大由此可见。这也足以证明,老子的研究已具有世界性了。
在法国,有许多久居外国,或是外籍华裔的知识界人士,因怀念和仰慕祖国的传统文化而喜欢道教,愿意加以礼敬和研究,希望通过对道教的了解来保留祖国的传统文化。
俄罗斯与中国相邻,文化交流历史久远。最早向俄国人介绍中国道教的是俄国东正教的传教士。真正具有科学研究意义上的成果,还是在十月革命胜利后的苏联时期取得的。道教在俄罗斯已在司法部登记注册,获得了合法地位。
随着近现代华侨遍布世界,道教信仰也被带到欧美各地。但当时一般仅限于华人社会自己信奉,且多为三教融合,如文庙、关帝庙和祖庙到处可见。近年来,道教在欧美国家的传播有了新的发展,如美国、英国、加拿大等国家都修建了新的道观,并有本土居民入道。
随着中国国际地位的提高和发展的迅速,海内外道教界人士交流增多,国内的道观与团体与国外道教团体建立了联系,接待过各国道教界人士的参访,或派人前往国外道观访问、讲学;每一年都有许多海外道徒江西龙虎山受领箓牒,海内外共同举办了一些列的国际道教论坛、音乐汇演、国外道教徒进修班活动。总之,国际公认“道教文化,包罗万象、博大精深”。可以说,每个人只要走进道教,不管是否有信仰、有何信仰,都会有收获。