Tang Dynasty Daoist Diversity: Immortal Daoism as an Offshoot in Li Bai’s Era

The mainstream Daoism of the Tang Dynasty was the Highest Clarity Tradition, a paradigmatic form of Medieval Daoism. Meanwhile, the existence of Immortal Daoism, as an offshoot, can be regarded as an undercurrent of Tang Dynasty Daoism, embodying the historical diversity of Daoism during this period. As a paradigmatic figure among Tang Dynasty literati, Li Bai had religious beliefs and practices deeply imbued with Immortal Daoist concepts. His practices centered on three core elements: questing for the immortal realm in untamed mountain landscapes, cultivating spiritual essence through reclusive seclusion, and asserting a strong self-identity as an “ostracized transcendent.” A comparative analysis of works of the same genre reveals that Li Bai’s pursuit of Daoism centered on leaving this mortal coil as a transcendent, whereas the ultimate goal of Medieval Daoist postulants was “Dedao” (to achieve perfect harmony with the Dao). When interacting with such priests, Li Bai would actively adopt the terminology of Daoist scriptures to align with their perspectives and even visit Daoist monasteries for tangible benefits. In his personal writings, he favored imagery associated with Immortal Daoism. Li Bai’s preference for Immortal Daoism not only resolves long-standing academic debates concerning his relationship with Daoism but also stands as a concrete manifestation of the variety of Daoism in the Tang Dynasty, thereby providing a multi-dimensional perspective for the study of Daoist history.