Abstract
Zhang Jixian, usually known as Heavenly Master XuJing, is a legendary Daoist in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. He can be seen as the key to the formation of authority of Dragon and Tiger Mountain, the sacred mountain of Daoism in Jiangxi Province, as the centre of the heavenly masters. Based on the studies by Koichi Matsumoto, Nikaido Yoshihiro and Wang Jianchuan, this paper aims to examine how the legendary figure of Heavenly Master Zhang is created and the authority of Dragon and Tiger Mountain is established through certain notebooks, stories and Taoist scriptures. The most renowned story of Master XuJing in Song Dynasty is about how he vanquishes a flood dragon with his powers. The archetypal story shows how a Heavenly Master is able to dispatch the gods and exorcise demons, and thus reinforces his religious influence over the masses. During Song and Yuan Dynasties, Heavenly Master Zhang is also celebrated as the chief ritual master of Thunder Magic and of Marshal Guan's Apotropaic rituals preserved in Daofahuiyuan（道法會元）. At the same time, enjoying the honors offered by the imperial court, this legendary figure gradually becomes an embodiment of religious and political authority. As Marshal Guan's rites grow more and more popular, the influence of Master XuJing on the common people grows deeper and deeper. Thus the hagiography and rites repeatedly reinforced the Master Zhang's images of proficient in magic, and formed the authority of Dragon and Tiger Mountain.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
