Kòu QiĀnzhī a reforma Cesty nebeských mistrů
Kòu Qiānzhī’s Reform of the Way of the Heavenly Masters

Summary/Abstract: The article sums up the content of the reformatory text Lǎojūn yīnsong jiejīng ascribed to Kou Qiānzhī (365–448). First, the text justifies the reform by telling the account of Lǎojūn's revelation of the New Code and the investiture of Kou with the title of Heavenly Master. The Heavenly Masters' clergy is criticized for it's lack of ability to communicate with the spirits, for automatic hereditary transmission of official titles, and for general corruption. Thereafter, the article explains the function of the supernatural beings divided in three levels – the True Officials of the Earth linked to the system of karmic retribution; the Immortals as the donors of the potion of immortality; and the Lǎojūn himself, announcing his future coming as a doomsday. Finally, the article sums up the reform of the Heavenly Masters church, concerning the official titles, the system of dioceses, the reduction of annual offerings, and miscellaneous rituals including the sexual rites. Kou's text incorporates certain Buddhist elements into the rather conservative teaching of the Heavenly Masters. It also fights the political ambitions of Daoist priests and popular messianistic beliefs. On the level of soteriology, Kou postulates moral behavior and ritual fasting as the only way to the salvation of the believers and their ancestors.

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