The Dominance of Taoism and the Deification of"Taoyuan"Image in Tang Dynasty

TAO Yuan-ming drew a utopian blueprint for the Great Unity in his Taohuayuan Poetry and Notes. The image of Taoyuan is generally regarded by later generations either as an earthly paradise or a longed-for ideal society.This image underwent considerable change in Tang Dynasty when Taoyuan became the dwelling place for the immortals in the writings of men of letters.In Tang Dynasty,both Taoism and Buddhism were in their full bloom while Taoism was at the height of its splendour.Most emperors indulged in theurgy,intellectuals made a fetish of wonderland,and the practice of praying for blessing and misfortune aversion was fashionable among ordinary people. The present author believes that the consciousness of intellectuals in Tang Dynasty could not but be affected by such social atmosphere and literary context.Henceforth,the dominance of Taoism is the chief reason for the deification of Taoyuan image.