The Emergence of Daoism: Creation of Tradition

Description

At the core of Daoism are ancient ideas concerning the Way, the fundamental process of existence (the Dao). Humans, as individuals and as a society, should be aligned with the Dao in order to attain the fullness of life and its potential. This book presents the history of early Daoism, tracing the development of the tradition between the first and the fifth centuries CE. This book discusses the emergence of several Daoist movements during this period, including the relatively well-known Way of the Celestial Master that appeared in the second century, and the Upper Clarity and the Numinous Treasure lineages that appeared in the fourth century. These labels are very difficult to determine socially, and they obscure the social reality of early medieval China, that included many more lineages. This book argues that these lineages should be understood as narrowly defined associations of masters and disciples, and it goes on to describe these diverse social groupings as 'communities of practice'. Shedding new light on a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, the formation of Daoism as a new religion in early medieval China, this book presents a major step forward in Daoist Studies. Front Cover The Emergence of Daoism Copyright Page Contents List of illustrations Acknowledgments Abbreviations and conventions Introduction 1. Immortality cults and cults of immortals 2. Blood rites and pure covenants 3. Talismans: the power of inscription 4. The Yellow and the Red: controversies over sexual practice 5. Creating orthodoxy Afterword, in lieu of conclusion Bibliography Index