The General Theory of Taoism

Description

To understand Taoism is to understand the roots of contemporary Chinese culture. This significant book highlights the significance of Taoism in modern day China and supplies detailed information covering all aspects of a philosophical and religious tradition which is followed by as many as 400 million people worldwide. Comprehensive and user-friendly, the book outlines the principle theories and categories of Taoism, covering each aspect in great detail. Whether new to the subject or a follower, this essential book will enable the reader to better understand all aspects of Taoism and appreciate its central role within a newly reformed China. (Series: Chinese Culture and Philosophy) Cover Contents Part One Chapter One Rectification of the Name for Daoxue Chapter Two The Cultural Roots of Daoxue Chapter Three Evolution of The Traditional Culture and Daoxue Section One: “Philosophical Breakthrough” in the Spring and Autumn and WarringStates periods Section Two: Historical Conditions and Schools of Thought Section Three: The Formation and Evolution of Taoist Scholarship Section Four: The Thread of Development in Taoist Learning Section Five: Eight Pillars of Daoxue . One, Qian (Heaven): The Philosophy of Man, Action and Dao Two, Dui (Marsh land): Political Administration Three, Li (Fire): Learning in Culture and Art Four, Zhen (Thunder): Medicine and the Learning of Nourishing Life Five, Xun (Wind): Religious Folklore Six, Kan (Water): Social Ethics Seven, Gen (Mountain): Inner Alchemy Eight, Kun (Earth): Alchemical arts and Numerology 方技术数 Section Six: Synopsis of Taoist Personalities .. Chapter Four The Central Thoughts of Daoxue Section One: The Theory of Daoxue Section Two: The Virtue of Centrality and Harmony Section Three: Remove Misunderstandings Section Four: Taoist Themes One, Naturalness and Non-action Two, Conflict and Transformation Three, Moving around without stop Four, Seeing the Unadorned and embracing uncarved block Five, Femininity, Softness and No Contention Six, Compassion and Valuing Life Seven, The Way of Heaven is impartial Eight, Taoist Realms Part Two Religious Taoism Chapter One What is Religious Taoism? Section One: A Definition of Religious Taoism Section Two: The Conditions for the Emergence of Religious Taoism Section Three: Characteristics of Religious Taoism Chapter Two A History of Development of Religious Taoism Section One: The Way of Recipe and Immortality, the Way of Huang-Lao and the Way of Shamans and Ghosts Section Two Early Religious Taoism at the End of the Han Section Three: Religious Taoism in the Transitional Period of Wei-Jin Section Four: The Reform of Religious Taoism and Its Maturity in the Southern andNorthern Dynasties One, The Reform of the Way of Celestial Masters by Kuo Qianzhi Two, Wei Taiwu’s Abolition of Buddhism and the Decline of the Celestial Masters inthe North Three, Lu Xiujing established a new Taoism Section Five: Prosperity of Taoism and Its Becoming a State Religion in the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties Periods One, Relationship Between Taoism and Politics in the Sui and Tang Two, Important Taoist Lineages and Scholars Three, the Characteristics of Taoism in the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties Section Six: Proliferation and Innovation of Taoism in the Song, Liao, Jin and Yuan Periods One, Taoism in the Song, Liao, Jin and Yuan Dynasties Two, Taoist Sects in China in the Periods of the Song, Liao, Jin and Yuan Section Seven: The Decline of Taoism in the Ming and Qing and Its Secularization One, the Ming Religious Policy and The Secularization of Taoism Two, General Condition of Taoism and Its Social Context in the Qing Period Three, Taoist Sects in the Ming and Qing Chapter Three Taoist Rules and Observances, Purification and Offering, andPrecepts Part Three Taoist Techniques Chapter One Meditation, Gymnastics, Breathing Exercises and Arts of Body Building Section One: Massage, Gymnastics and Martial Arts Section Two: Abstention from grains, inhaling and gathering qi Section Three: Meditation, Guarding the One and Sitting in forgetfulness Section Four: Breathing Exercises, Spreading Breath and Embryonic Breathing Chapter Two Medicine, Drug Ingestion and Nourishing Life Section One: Taoist medicine Section Two: Drug Ingestion, cosmetics and food therapy Section Three: Meditation, Guarding the One and Sitting in forgetfulness Section Four: Breathing Exercises, Spreading Breath and Embryonic Breathing Chapter Three Nourishing Life through the Art of the Bedchamber Section One: The Cultural Origin of Life Nourishment through the Arts of theBedchamber Section Two: A General Survey of the Historical Development of Life Nourishmentthrough the Art of the Bedchamber Section Three: The Theory, Principle and Basic Contents of the Art of the Bedchamberas a Way of Life Nourishment One, Choosing the Right Partner and the Right Time to Move Two, Seasons in Sexual Life and Necessary Knowledge of What to Do and What not to Do Three, Treasuring Essence and Strengthening Yang: Seven Injuries and Eight Benefits Four, Foreplay and Enjoyment for Both, Let the Heart not be perturbed Five, Coordination of Sexual Impulses and Copulation When Readiness is Apparen Six, Shallow Penetration and Slow Movements, and Cherishing Harmony Seven, Vary Positions and Achieve Best Effects Eight, Weak Entry and Strong Withdrawal, Protect Essence and Limit Ejaculatio Nine, Gatherding Qi and Swallowing Saliva, Reversing Essence and Repairing the Brain Chapter Four Outer Alchemy and Techniques of Yellow (Gold) and White (Silver Section One: Historical evolution of Outer Alchemy Section Two: The Thread of Thought and Theoretical System of Alchemists Section Three: Operational Procedures for Alchemical Drugs and the ChemicalReactions Involve One, The chemical reaction in the making of reverted cinnabar Two, The chemical reaction of making yellow and whit Three, Gold liquid and reaction of water method Four, The Making of Sexual Stimulants such as “Autumn Stone Five, The making of medical use alchemical drug Key Words (Chinese – English Key Words (English – Chinese) . 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