Revisiting Du Guangting: Theoretical Contributions and Religious Transformations Within Daoism During the Late Tang and Five Dynasties Periods

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In this study, we re-evaluate Du Guangting’s (850–933 C.E.) contributions to Daoist philosophy and religious practice during the late Tang and Five Dynasties period (755–960 C.E.), emphasizing his method of “broadly drawing upon various texts and thoroughly exploring their meanings” (廣引眾文, 窮指詳采). Through a primary analysis of Explications Expounding upon the Sage’s Commentary on True Scripture of the Dao and the De (道德真經廣聖義), and supported by the Anthology of Lost Transcendent Biographies (仙傳拾遺), this paper introduces a novel perspective on Du Guangting’s redefinition of Daoist practices, emphasizing self-cultivation and moral integrity over traditional alchemical methods. This shift not only addressed the spiritual demands of his era but also set a precedent for ethical practices in Daoism, thereby reflecting its adaptability to socio-political changes. This research underscores how Du’s work significantly contributed to both the transformation of Daoist philosophy and the evolution of its religious practices, thus influencing subsequent developments in Chinese thought and spirituality.