A01=Stephen R. Bokenkamp
ancient scriptures
Author_Stephen R. Bokenkamp
buddhism
Category=NHF
Category=QRRL5
Category=QRVA
celestial masters
china
chinese civilization
chinese religion
chinese thought
confucianism
daode jing
daoism
daoist classics series
early daoism
early daoist church
early taoism
eq_bestseller
eq_history
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
great dao
individual meditation
laozi
limitless salvation
lingbao
meditation practices
purple texts
religion
religious studies
sepulchral plaints
shangqing
spirits
spirituality
tao te ching
taoism
three heavens
Product details
- ISBN 9780520219311
- Weight: 680g
- Dimensions: 152 x 229mm
- Publication Date: 29 Jun 1999
- Publisher: University of California Press
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
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For centuries Daoism (Taoism) has played a central role in the development of Chinese thought and civilization, yet to this day only a few of its sacred texts have been translated into English. Now Stephen R. Bokenkamp introduces the reader to ancient scriptures never before published in the West, providing a systematic and easily accessible introduction to early Daoism (c. 2nd-6th C.E.). Representative works from each of the principal Daoist traditions comprise the basic structure of the book, with each chapter accompanied by an introduction that places the material within a historical and cultural context. Included are translations of the earliest Daoist commentary to Laozi's "Daode jing (Tao Te Ching)"; historical documents relating the history of the early Daoist church; a petitioning ritual used to free believers from complaints brought against them by the dead; and, two complete scriptures, one on individual meditation practice and another designed to rescue humanity from the terrors of hell through recitation of its powerful charms. In addition, Bokenkamp elucidates the connections Daoism holds with other schools of thought, particularly Confucianism and Buddhism.
This book provides a much-needed introduction to Daoism for students of religion and is a welcome addition for scholars wishing to explore Daoist sacred literature. It serves as an overview to every aspect of early Daoist tradition and all the seminal practices which have helped shape the religion as it exists today.
Stephen R. Bokenkamp is Professor of East Asian Languages and Culture at Indiana University.
