Description
Book SynopsisThis is a survey of the history of Taoism from approximately the third century B.C. to the fourteenth century A.D. For many years, it was customary to divide Taoism into philosophical Taoism and religious Taoism. The author has long argued that this is a false division and that religious Taoism is simply the practice of philosophical Taoism. She sees Taoism as foremost a religion, and the present work traces the development of Taoism up to the point it reached its mature form (which remains intact today, albeit with modern innovations).
The main aim of this history of Taoism is to trace the major lines of its doctrinal evolution, showing the coherence of its development, the wide varieties of factors that came into play over a long period of disconnected eras, the constant absorptions of outside contributions, and the progress that integrates them. The author shows how certain recurrent themes are treated in different ways in different eras and different sects. Among these the
Trade Review
"This is a work of monumental importance by arguably the foremost scholar of Taoism in the world. Insights from the study of Taoism are profoundly changing the way we view China's past, and this book fills the need for a comprehensive history that reflects the progress made in Taoist studies over the last few decades. Though Taoism is known to be an abstruse religion, Robinet lays bare its 'bones and sinews' in exceptionally clear language, one of the things that makes the book so valuable for classroom use."—Stephen Bokenkamp,
Indiana University
Table of Contents
Translator's foreword Author's preface Chronology Introduction: definitions and controlling concepts 1. The warring states (fourth to third centuries B. C.) 2. New elements under the Han 3. The celestrial masters 4. Ge Hong and his tradition 5. The Lingbao school 7. The Tang period 8. Under the song and the Yuan: interior alchemy Conclusion Notes Suggestions for further readings Index.
