Abstract
This article focuses on Taoist experience that commonly existed in the daily life of Song elite as the main subject. Through the three topics of discussion: the establishment of Tianqing Temple, the circulation of Taoist books, and the popularity of Taoist garments, the author observes their actual behavior pattern of involvement in these aspects to reveal the Taoist element in Elite culture, which had received less concern than it shall. Firstly, the Tianqing Temple was a representative shrine that existed all over the nation, so the custom of pilgrimage and the copious number of elite pilgrims who partook the journey formed a unique, multi-perspective temple style throughout the two Song dynasties. Secondly, the fashion of learning textual knowledge stimulated the elite to frequently visit temples and search for Taoist books. Therefore, the reading and circulation of Taoist books became an important character of knowledge-seeking elites. Finally, by observing the clothing-an indicator of social status-the fact that many elite class members became fond of Taoist garments was also a symbolic phenomenon of social development, a fresh topic of historical meaning that may help us understand the interaction between Song elite culture and Taoist elements. Simultaneously, this trend could serve as a route of research that explain the implementation and consequences of Song court’s pro-Taoist policies. After all, Song dynasty had been continuing pro-Taoist policies imposed since Tang dynasty, and two Taoist upsurges had occurred during Zhenzong and Huizong’s reigns, respectively. Although the zeal was not as evident in Southern Song, Taoism had already integrated itself with other obliged traditions of the dynasty, whose social acceptance and sphere of influence could be weighed by the aforementioned developments.