Taoism For Dummies

The definitive guide to understanding Taoism--no matter
your background or faith

Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching is the second most translated book
in the world, and the practice of religious Taoism is on the rise
in China, where adherents currently number in the hundreds of
millions. Yet there remains a remarkable lack of reliable
information about Taoism for curious westerners. Taoism For
Dummies provides comprehensive coverage of Taoism's origins in
China's Chou Dynasty, its underlying quietist principles, its
emergence as a major religion, various interpretation of its core
texts, including both Eastern and Western interpretations, key
Taoist concepts, and much more. It also provides a fascinating
glimpse of Taoism in contemporary China.

• The ideal guide for readers interested in this influential
  religion, as well as those taking an introductory course on Taoism
  or Chinese Religion

• A valuable source of insight for those with an interest in
  modern Chinese culture and beliefs

Auteur

Jonathan Herman, PhD, is the Director of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Georgia State University in Atlanta, where he teaches courses in Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Shinto, world religions, comparative mysticism, and critical theory in the study of religion. He has written extensively on various aspects of Taoism, Chinese religion, and modern religious issues.

Résumé
The definitive guide to understanding Taoismno matter your background or faith Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching is the second most translated book in the world, and the practice of religious Taoism is on the rise in China, where adherents currently number in the hundreds of millions. Yet there remains a remarkable lack of reliable information about Taoism for curious westerners. Taoism For Dummies provides comprehensive coverage of Taoism's origins in China's Chou Dynasty, its underlying quietist principles, its emergence as a major religion, various interpretation of its core texts, including both Eastern and Western interpretations, key Taoist concepts, and much more. It also provides a fascinating glimpse of Taoism in contemporary China.

• The ideal guide for readers interested in this influential religion, as well as those taking an introductory course on Taoism or Chinese Religion
• A valuable source of insight for those with an interest in modern Chinese culture and beliefs

Contenu

Introduction 1

Part I: Navigating the World of Taoism 7

Chapter 1: An Introduction to Taoism 9

Chapter 2: What Is Taoism? 19

Chapter 3: Don't Believe Everything You Think 31

Part II: Looking At the Development of Taoism
45

Chapter 4: Classical Taoist Philosophy 47

Chapter 5: The Development of Institutional Taoism 73

Chapter 6: Types of Taoism in China Today 91

Chapter 7: Go West, Old Tao, Go West 109

Part III: Examining Important Taoist Concepts
133

Chapter 8: What Is the Tao, and What Does It Mean to Follow It?
135

Chapter 9: Doing Everything by Doing Nothing 157

Chapter 10: For Every Yin, There Is an Equal and Opposite Yang
177

Chapter 11: Blue Heaven, Yellow Heaven: The Belief in a New Age
193

Chapter 12: Writing What Can't Be Spoken: The Many Texts
of Taoism 207

Part IV: Exploring Taoist Practices 225

Chapter 13: Remembering to Keep Forgetting 227

Chapter 14: Seeking the Path to Immortality 241

Chapter 15: Internal Cultivation through the Discipline of
Alchemy 259

Chapter 16: Martial, Gymnastic, and Healing Arts: T'ai-chi
and Ch'i-kung 277

Chapter 17: Cosmic Renewal and Other Rituals 291

Part V: The Part of Tens 305

Chapter 18: Ten Common Misconceptions about Taoism 307

Chapter 19: Ten Bits of Advice for Acquiring Taoist Wisdom
315

Chapter 20: Ten Places to See Taoist Stuff Happening Today
323

Part VI: Appendixes 331

Appendix A: Glossary 333

Appendix B: Resources 347

Appendix C: Pronunciation Guide 353

Index 357