Introduction on the meaning of San Tan 2 (三壇簡介二)

Upon reading the previous posting on San Tan aka The Three Main Taoist Groups in Taoism Context, a lot of people still have some enquiries on which are the Actual San Tan (the Lineage under the Three Main San Tan) in our Taoism Context, in-order to allow the others to have a better picture, here I will do a quick and brief intro on the Real Spiritual & Religious San Tan of the Upright Taoism.

 

In Han Dynasty, after Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling founded and promoted the Upright Culture & Teaching of Taoism, various Taoist Schools were being set-up at different Era.

 

As you know, Zheng Yi Tian Shi School (正一天師道) aka Zheng Yi Sect (正一派) or Wu Dou Mi Jiao (五斗米教) was the earliest recorded Upright Taoist School besides Tai Ping Jiao 平教 (led by Yu Ji 于吉 or Gan Ji 干吉).

 

After the Chaotic Period in Late Han Dynasty (fighting for the Throne of Han Empire), the 4^th Generation Heavenly Master Zhang Sheng (四代天師張盛) went back to Long Hu Shan aka Mountain Long Hu (龍虎山) to re-setup the Zheng Yi Sect that passed-down by Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (張道陵天師).

 

Upon returning back & in-order to re-form the Zheng Yi Sect, Heavenly Master Zhang Sheng set up the very First Tan in Long Hu Shan, known as Zheng Yi Zong Tan (正一宗壇 translated as the Taoist Group that continue the Lineage of Zheng Yi Sect).

 

Due to the Chaotic situation in the Taoism Society at that time, in-order not to allow the Unorthodox Schools to spoil the reputation of Zheng Yi Zong Tan, Heavenly Master Zhang Sheng followed the Teaching that being passed down by Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling to only used the Spiritual Seal with the Endorsement-scripture of Yang Ping Zhi Du Gong (陽平治都功印).

 

From then till now, the Descendants of Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling will still used this Seal while they performed their Tasks.

 

The 2^nd Tan that being setup was known as Shang Qing Zong Tan (上清宗壇), which was being setup by Yang Xi & Xu Yi (楊羲與許謐), the disciples of Nan Yue Madam Wei of Eastern Jin Dynasty (東晉時南嶽魏夫人).

 

In Eastern Jin Dynasty, Yang Xi & Xu Yi reached Mao Shan aka Mountain Mao (茅山) to perform their cultivation and salvation tasks. Upon meeting the right opportunity, both of them cooperated and work closely together to setup Shang Qing Zong Tan, in-order to promote the Culture under their School and also the Teaching that being passed-down by their Ancestors and Masters.

 

After Shang Qing Zong Tan was being setup, Yang Xi & Xu Yi used the Spiritual Seal with the Endorsement-scripture of Jiu Lao Xian Du Jun (九老仙都君印) as the Main Seal to be used during Rituals/Ceremonies or any Spiritual Tasks.

 

And 3rd Tan, known as Yuan Shi Zong Tan (元始宗壇), the Tan was being setup by Heavenly Master Ge Xuan (葛玄天師 the Granduncle of Heavenly Master Ge Hong 葛洪天師) – Ling Bao Sect (靈寶派), in China Jiang Xi Province, He Zao Shan aka Mountain He Zao (江西清江縣闔皂山).

 

For Yuan Shi Zong Tan, the Spiritual Seal that Heavenly Master Ge Xuan insisted in using must have the Endorsement-scripture of Yuan Shi Zong Tan (元始宗壇印).

 

In Song Dynasty, after Emperor Song Hui Zong (和宋徽宗) bestowed another Seal with the Endorsement-scripture of Yuan Shi Wan Shen (元始萬神印), in Ling Bao Sect, the Leading Priests were also be allowed to use it as the Main Spiritual Seal for Rituals/Ceremonies or any Spiritual Tasks.

 

Summary:

 

In the Whole History of Taoism, these 3 Tan are consider as the 3 Main Tan or so-called Dao Jiao San Tan, without the endorsement or the Officially Initiation on these 3 Main Tan, no other Schools or Sects can be known as San Tan (unless in the Folks Culture or Folks Beliefs).

 

Tan that being setup after Yuan Dynasty or in Ming Dynasty are those Tan that closely related or associated with Politics of that Era, so they cant really be known as Taoism Tan.

 

Today, in-order to allow the Upright Teaching of the Zheng Yi Sect to be promoted to all places in this Mortal World, All the Over-mentioned Zong Tan combined together to form a Main & Strong Zong Tan known as Wan Fa Zong Tan (萬法宗壇 translated as the Group that being bestowed with the Authority of the Three Realms of Multiple Spiritual-Power Enhancement).

 

Besides that Three Main Zong Tan, now in Wan Fa Zong Tan also consist of Jing Ming Lv Shan Sect (淨明閭山派), Liu Ren Sect (六壬派), Wu Dang Sect (武當教), Tai Yi Sect (太一派), etc.

 

On the Spiritual Petition that the Official Taoists got, you will see the 4 Main Characters of Wan Fa Zong Tan being printed and a little Endorsement Seal will be stamped on these 4 Characters (see picture attached).