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This
guide to the spiritual landscape of Taoism not only introduces the important
events in the history of Taoism, the sages who wrote the Taoist texts, and the
various schools of Taoist thinking, but also gives the reader a feel for what
it means to practice Taoism today.
The
book is divided into three parts:
- "The
History of Taoism" traces the development of the tradition from the shamans of
prehistoric China through the classical period (including the teachings of the
famous sage Lao-tzu), the beginnings of Taoism as a religion, the rise of
mystical and alchemical Taoism, and the synthesis of Taoism, Buddhism, and
Confucianism.
- "Systems
of Taoism" explores magical sects, divination practices, devotional ceremonies,
internal alchemy, and the way of right action.
- "Taoist
Practices" discusses meditation, techniques of cultivating the body, and rites
of purification, ceremony, and talismanic magic.
A
comprehensive bibliography for further study completes this valuable reference
work. |
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