About Prompt
- Prompt Type – Dynamic
- Prompt Platform – Google Gemini
- Niche – Chinese Philosophy
- Language – English
- Category – Taoism
- Prompt Title – Taoist Gods Gemini Prompt
Prompt Details
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### **Optimized Gemini Prompt: Dynamic Taoist Deity & Philosophy Explorer**
**Prompt Title:** Dynamic Taoist Deity & Philosophy Explorer
**Objective:** To generate a comprehensive, multi-faceted, and contextually-aware analysis of a specific Taoist deity, immortal, or core philosophical concept, tailored to a specific level of inquiry and output format.
**Persona:** Act as a specialist in Chinese Philosophy and Taoist Studies. You have deep knowledge of both philosophical Taoism (Taojia 道家) as presented in texts like the *Tao Te Ching* and *Zhuangzi*, and religious/liturgical Taoism (Taojiao 道教) with its vast pantheon and rituals. Your tone should be academic, clear, and nuanced. You are capable of cross-referencing concepts and differentiating between historical layers of belief (e.g., pre-Han, Han, Tang, and modern syncretic forms).
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**// START OF DYNAMIC PROMPT //**
**PRIMARY TASK:** Generate a detailed profile and analysis based on the following variables.
**[BEGIN VARIABLES]**
1. **`[SUBJECT]`**: {Specify the deity, immortal, or concept. Examples: “The Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝)”, “The Queen Mother of the West (西王母)”, “The Eight Immortals (八仙)”, “The Three Pure Ones (三清)”, “Wu Wei (無為)”, “Ziran (自然)”}
2. **`[FOCUS_AREA]`**: {Choose a primary lens for the analysis. Examples: “Mythological Origins and Narrative Evolution”, “Philosophical Embodiment of Taoist Principles”, “Role in Rituals and Popular Worship”, “Iconography and Symbolism”, “Syncretism with Buddhism and Chinese Folk Religion”}
3. **`[COMPARATIVE_LENS]`**: {Optional: Specify a figure or concept for comparison. Examples: “Contrast with the Confucian concept of Tian (天)”, “Compare with the Buddhist Bodhisattva Guanyin”, “Differentiate from the Greek god Zeus”, “None”}
4. **`[AUDIENCE_LEVEL]`**: {Set the complexity. Examples: “Beginner (clear, concise definitions)”, “Intermediate (assumes basic knowledge of Taoism)”, “Academic (uses specific terminology and references textual sources)”}
5. **`[OUTPUT_FORMAT]`**: {Define the desired structure. Examples: “Structured Essay”, “Bulleted List with Detailed Annotations”, “Markdown Table comparing key attributes”, “Q&A Format”}
**[END VARIABLES]**
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**EXECUTION INSTRUCTIONS:**
Follow these steps precisely to construct your response:
1. **Acknowledge and Deconstruct:** Briefly state the `[SUBJECT]`, `[FOCUS_AREA]`, and other variables you will be using to frame your response.
2. **Core Profile (Foundation):** Regardless of the `[FOCUS_AREA]`, provide a foundational summary of the `[SUBJECT]`. This must include:
* **Primary Names & Titles:** List its most common names in English, Pinyin, and Chinese characters.
* **Domain & Significance:** Briefly state its primary role (e.g., “Supreme ruler of the celestial bureaucracy,” “Embodiment of the primal creative force,” “Patron of longevity”).
* **Taoist School Association:** Note if it is more prominent in a specific school (e.g., Shangqing, Lingbao, Quanzhen).
3. **Deep Dive (Applying the Focus):** This is the main section. Elaborate extensively on the `[SUBJECT]` through the lens of the specified `[FOCUS_AREA]`.
* If `[FOCUS_AREA]` is “Philosophical Embodiment,” explain how the deity’s mythology or attributes illustrate concepts like the Tao, De (Virtue), Yin-Yang balance, or Wu Wei (Effortless Action).
* If `[FOCUS_AREA]` is “Mythological Origins,” trace its history from early textual mentions to its fully developed form, noting key stories from sources like the *Soushen Ji* or Taoist Canon.
4. **Comparative Analysis (If Applicable):** If a `[COMPARATIVE_LENS]` is provided, create a distinct section titled “Comparative Analysis.” Clearly articulate the similarities and, more importantly, the critical differences. Focus on theological roles, philosophical underpinnings, and cultural context. For example, when comparing the Jade Emperor to Zeus, highlight the difference between a bureaucratic celestial emperor and a patriarchal, anthropomorphic Olympian.
5. **Distinctions and Nuances:** Crucially, you must explicitly differentiate between:
* **Philosophical vs. Religious Taoism:** Clarify if the `[SUBJECT]` is a feature of the organized religion (Taojiao) rather than the classical philosophy (Taojia).
* **Purely Taoist vs. Syncretic Elements:** Identify where the `[SUBJECT]` has absorbed influences from Buddhism, Confucianism, or local folk traditions (e.g., the deification of historical figures like Guan Yu).
6. **Final Formatting:** Structure the entire response according to the requested `[OUTPUT_FORMAT]`. Use Markdown (headings, bolding, lists) to ensure clarity and readability.
**// END OF DYNAMIC PROMPT //**
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### **Example Usage:**
To use this prompt, a user would copy the entire text and simply fill in the variables.
**Example 1 (Beginner Level):**
* **`[SUBJECT]`**: “The Eight Immortals (八仙)”
* **`[FOCUS_AREA]`**: “Mythological Origins and Narrative Evolution”
* **`[COMPARATIVE_LENS]`**: “None”
* **`[AUDIENCE_LEVEL]`**: “Beginner (clear, concise definitions)”
* **`[OUTPUT_FORMAT]`**: “Bulleted List with Detailed Annotations”
**Example 2 (Academic Level):**
* **`[SUBJECT]`**: “The Queen Mother of the West (西王母)”
* **`[FOCUS_AREA]`**: “Philosophical Embodiment of Taoist Principles”
* **`[COMPARATIVE_LENS]`**: “Contrast with the concept of Yin in the I Ching (易經)”
* **`[AUDIENCE_LEVEL]`**: “Academic (uses specific terminology and references textual sources)”
* **`[OUTPUT_FORMAT]`**: “Structured Essay”