Along with Jones’ moving film “Li Manshan: Portrait of a Folk Daoist” —watch here: https://vimeo.com/155660741—this engaging and original book describes a hereditary family of household Daoist priests in rural north China. It traces the vicissitudes of their lives—and ritual practices—over…
Empowered Writing explores the inherent powers of Chinese talismans, petitions, registers, and holy scriptures, presenting a systematic study of their exorcistic and apotropaic properties. The book divides into three parts: tallies, petitions, and scriptures—all inherently empowered since they originate from the very same primordial energy as Dao, the heavens, and highest gods. Tallies emerge as certificates of legitimation, used both in the imperial government and in religion. Petitions and registers, on the other hand, are writings addressed to higher ranking spirits to control demons, disease, and misfortunes. Scriptures, third, contain power even in their physical presence: entrained with superior spiritual beings, they can exorcize evil spirits and negative energies. This feature holds also true in Buddhism, where the readers of sutras can count on the support of unseen guardian buddhas and bodhisattvas. Using a vast arsenal of original sources, the book traces the unfolding and transformation of empowered writing from the Warring States period through the Six Dynasties, closely examining the different kinds of writing, their uses, and interpretation as well as relating uniquely Daoist features to imperial and Buddhist usages. The book is path-breaking in its endeavor and stunning in its depth of analyis. It is a must for all China historians and scholars of religion.
Contents and Introduction
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Cosmos and Community is the first English study of Daoist religious ethics. Based on original translations of primary sources, it presents a thorough comparative analysis of various kinds of Daoist rules, divided into four major kinds: prohibitions, admonitions, injunctions (behavioral guidelines), and affirmations (positive prayers). They all serve to place the practitioner firmly into the overarching goodness of Dao. The book also presents extensive translations of original sources, ranging from the 3rd to 17th. The work is essential for anyone interested in Daoism, comparative ethics, or Chinese history.
Contents and Introduction
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This book supplements the main work, Cosmos and Community, by providing additional translations of texts on Daoist rules in five groups: 1. Materials pertaining to the early communities of the Celestial Masters. 2. Works addressed mainly to lay followers, linked with the major medieval schools. 3. Guidelines for medieval monastic organization and behavior. 4. Variant lists of rules in texts from the middle ages through the Ming. 5. Complete Perfection texts that specify modern monastic ways.
Contents and Introduction
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Flowers and blossoms are intricate and dainty, beautiful and transient. Marking the passing of the seasons while flourishing in radiant splendor, they open our hearts to beauty, provide creative inspiration, and connect us to the divine. Each culture has its own unique symbolism and lore associated with its flowers. Flowers in Chinese Culture presents the subtle and potent relevance of thirty flowering plants in Chinese Daoist culture, exploring religion, literature, folklore, and sayings. A delight to behold, it is a treasure trove of learning and insight.
Contents and Introduction
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This book presents a comprehensive overview of qigong, joined by an outline of quantum physics and an appreciation of mysticism. All three speak of understanding the universe in terms of cosmic oneness. Qigong with its Daoist background is a powerful way to integrate all these ways of apperception and bring them physically into the body. The book makes a powerful and easily accessible case for understanding qigong in terms of modern physics. It also presents practices, notably a set of easy-to-follow qigong exercises with many illustrations.
Contents and Introduction
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This tells the story of how Master Wu Baolin came to learn Daoist taijiquan from his teacher at the White Cloud Monastery in Beijing and introduces original taijiquan as preserved since the times of. Zhang Sanfeng. Dr. Wu is a senior master of Daoist taijiquan, Chinese medicine, and qi cultivation. Born in China, he now practices and teaches in Santa Monica. The book consists of seven chapters that cover Master Wu’s basic training experience, the life and work of Zhang Sanfeng, the importance of working with animal models, relevant theories and concepts as well as pertinent stories of a martial life. It concludes with a detailed illustrated outline of the form.
Contents and Introduction
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Qigong Journey brings students of Asian culture, Daoist philosophy, and the mind/body wellness connection directly into the mind of a master. Through the unparalleled knowledge and openness of Dr. Baolin Wu, take a journey through the many layers of the Daoist qigong experience. In this expansive volume, filled with personal anecdotes of life in the White Cloud Monastery, lies an in-depth exploration of the holistic and lyrical Daoist worldview, a shamanic experience both pragmatic and poetic. Discover the connection between the history and traditions of ancient understanding and the daily life we all lead today. The book is a practical manual detailing a complete, eight hundred year old protective qigong practice from the founder of the White Cloud Monastery itself, preserved in silence by the members of the White Cloud Monastery community until today. With painstaking, step-by-step instructions and beautiful illustrations by Oliver Benson, our beloved Qigong for Total Wellness artist, the goal of this book is to present the next level of Nine Palaces Daoist Qigong. Using a guided series of breath, visualization and internal isometric strengthening exercises, it is a life-changing physical training, focused on securing one’s body and consciousness in the midst of the very real health challenges, hardships and volatility of today’s world.
Contents and Introduction
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This comprehensive volume covers the key practices of medical healing, breathing, diets, exercises, sexual practices, qigong, and taiji quan. Each presentation places the practice in its historical and cultural context and relates its current application and efficaciousness. Ultimately aiming to energetically transform the person into a spiritual and transcendent being, Daoist cultivation techniques have proven beneficial for health time and again and can make an important contribution in the world today. The book provides a deeper understanding of the practices in their cultural and historical contexts, bridging the gap between healing and religion.
Contents and Introduction
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A comprehensive overview of the wide variety of Chinese medical and spiritual practices, this volume describes numerous different facets of Chinese healing and discusses their relationship to contemporary Western science and religious Daoism. It provides a clear outline of the worldview underlying the practices, focusing on Dao and qi as well as body and mind. It then describes the key features of diagnosis, acupuncture, and massage, followed by an outline of key longevity practices, including dietetics, herbal remedies, Feng Shui, self-massages, qigong, taiji quan, and meditation. Clear in presentation and lovingly illustrated, the book is a wonderful primer of all the different dimensions of Chinese health.
Contents and Introduction
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