Xuanmen lectures, both old and new. A long time ago, it means that as early as the Spring and Autumn Period, Laozi gave lectures in the concept of ancient architecture and spread the Tao Te Ching to later generations. In recent years, it is a wise move advocated by the Chinese Taoist Association to explain Taoist teachings by giving lectures and discussing Taoism in various places.
Since the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhengyi has been continuing Xuanmen's missionary ideas of preaching, teaching, saving the world, educating people, casting spells and painting concealment. Quanzhendao, founded in the Jin Dynasty, has three methods of achievement theory, that is, the upper level of achievement method is meditation and purity, the middle level of achievement method is chanting rituals, and the lower level of achievement method is climbing. Among them, the upper achievement method and the lower achievement method are only suitable for individuals to practice alone, and it is difficult to create the momentum and atmosphere of explaining people. Therefore, if we want to carry forward Taoism and fully show the appeal of Taoist culture, we can only rely on the method of making the past serve the present. In the long history of preaching and teaching, Taoism has gradually perfected a series of sacrificial ceremonies, which are still an important way to spread Taoism and preach.
The confessional ceremony in The Sutra of Fasting is solemn and infectious, and it is a unique way of education in Xuanmen, which is understandable. However, human society has entered the 2 1 century, and it is definitely impossible for Taoism to stick to the old missionary methods. For a long time, one of the problems faced by Taoism is that it does not pay enough attention to the cultivation of talents who give lectures and talk about Taoism, and rarely carries out activities of giving lectures and talking about Taoism for believers. If contemporary Taoism wants to "teach with the party and learn from the world", it must make up this lesson.
We should extend the activities of giving lectures and discussing Taoism to temples all over the country. Through giving lectures and discussing Taoist activities, we will publicize immortal beliefs, mysterious meanings, correct practices and moral norms to Taoists and believers. Only by vigorously promoting the transmission of scriptures can the Xuanmen make up for the lack of walking with only one leg in the past. Only the co-construction of Dojo chanting and classroom lecture can be more conducive to the development of excellent traditional Taoist culture.
Xuanmen should keep pace with the times and strengthen the moral cultivation, belief edification, cultural indoctrination and spiritual promotion of Taoist priests and believers. If we still only rely on fasting and chanting activities to explain teaching, it will have great limitations. Although we can recite the scriptures before God, few ordinary believers can clearly explain the contents of the recited scriptures in the lecture hall.
For a long time, due to the lack of practical implementation of the Taoist discussion system, the majority of Taoist believers rarely have the opportunity to get close to Taoist teachings, practice methods and salvation ideas. This makes some Taoists fall into the misunderstanding of egoism, that is, they only care about their personal future and destiny and are indifferent to the inheritance and promotion of Taoist culture. The existence of this problem not only weakens the cohesion of Xuanmen, but also dispels the sanctity of Taoism. The reasons for the decline of Taoism in modern times, in addition to various external factors brought about by social changes, are indeed closely related to the conservatism of Taoism's own missionary model. In order to show a good mental outlook, the Taoist community must effectively solve the problem of insufficient teaching methods in the past, so that the two main missionary activities, namely, lecturing on classics and fasting on scientific instruments, can be carried out at the same time. This requires vigorously cultivating all kinds of missionary talents.
In recent years, the Chinese Taoist Association has actively promoted Xuanmen's lecture activities throughout the country, and many temples have responded positively and held many activities. These activities have been widely concerned and even praised by Taoist believers all over the world, and their effects have begun to show. Xuanmen lecture, a new missionary form, will certainly play an important role in promoting the self-construction of Taoism and improving the overall quality of believers.
Judging from the situation in recent years, although Xuanmen's lecture activities have achieved fruitful results, there are still some places that need to be improved and perfected. For example, most of the lecture and discussion activities in various places are sponsored by the Dagong Temple with good economic conditions, but for most Taoist temples with general conditions, it is impossible to hold large-scale and high-level lecture and discussion activities. If you don't bother to hold small-scale reading activities, many Taoist priests and believers still can't hear the voice of preaching and discussing the classics. In the long run, it will become empty talk to carry forward the excellent traditional Taoist culture, further promote the construction of Taoist style and enhance the overall appearance and image of Xuanmen.
Chapter 63 of the Tao Te Ching says: "If there is trouble in the world, there will be ease. The world's major events must be in the details. " Breaking the closed and self-controlled situation of Taoism in the past is also a difficult and important event for us, the inheritors of Taoist culture. If you want to promote Xuanmen's lecture activities, you must also start from small things, from easy places, and do what you can according to your own conditions. For example, the Chinese Taoist Association and famous Taoist temples can hold large-scale, high-level and in-depth Xuanmen lectures; Local Taoist associations at all levels can lead local Taoist temples to hold small-scale general education classes. As long as we can persist in doing it, Taoist culture will certainly be carried forward. In addition, it is suggested that temples with good incense and conditions should take the initiative to undertake Xuanmen lecture activities and hold various lecture classes according to their own conditions, so that the majority of Taoists and believers can have the opportunity to listen to the wonderful theories in the Taoist scriptures.
The success of Xuanmen's lecture activities depends not only on the attention and support of religious affairs departments at all levels, but also on the practical systems and methods formulated by the Chinese Taoist Association. The Chinese Taoist Association should make great efforts to urge and guide Taoist associations around the country to hold lectures and seminars. The temples with good economic conditions in various places should insist on holding Xuanmen lecture activities according to their own strength.
By vigorously carrying out Xuanmen lectures throughout the country, I believe that the ancient Taoist culture will definitely glow with new vitality in modern society.