The Shambhala Guide to TaoismThis 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: 1. "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. 2. "Systems of Taoism" explores magical sects, divination practices, devotional ceremonies, internal alchemy, and the way of right action. 3. "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. |
Contents
Shamanic Origins 3000800 BCE | 11 |
The Classical Period 700220 BCE | 20 |
The Transformation of Taoism from Philosophy | 31 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
Action and Karma alchemists breathing Buddhism calisthenics cauldron cavity celestial divination celestial realm Celestial Teachers ch'i ch'i-kung Ch'u ch'uan Chin dynasty China Chinese Chou Chuang-tzu Complete Reality School Confucian deities Earlier Heaven earth elixir external feng-shui Figure fire form of meditation form of Taoism gate guardian health and longevity I-ching internal alchemy internal energy internal-alchemical Jade Emperor Karma Taoism Ko Hung Kun-lun Lao-tzu Later Heaven Ling-pao Lord lower tan-t'ien Lü Tung-pin lunar month Lung-men Magical Taoism malevolent spirits Mao-shan method Ming movement mysticism Northern Bushel pa-k'ua pill postures practitioner Reality School refined religion rituals sacred powers sage scriptures sexual alchemy shamans Shang-ch'ing Taoism sorcerer Southern spirit energy stages stars Sung dynasty t'ai-chi T'ai-shang T'ang T'ao talismanic magic talismans Tao-te ching Taoist meditation Taoist practice techniques tion transformation translation Tzu-wei underworld Wang Ch'ung-yang Warring States Period Wu-chi yin and yang