Taoism - Growth of a Religion

For many years, it was customary to divide Taoism into "philosophical Taoism" and "religious Taoism." The author has long argued that this is a false division and that "religious" Taoism is simply the practice of "philosophical" Taoism. She sees Taoism as foremost a religion, and the present work traces the development of Taoism up to the point it reached its mature form.

About the author

Isabelle Robinet is Professor of Chinese at the University of Aix-en-Provence.

Summary

This is a history of Taoism from approximately the 3rd century BC to the 14th century AD. Its aim is to trace the lines of its doctrinal evolution, the wide varieties of factors that came into play over a long period of disconnected eras and the constant absorptions of outside contributions.

Additional text

"This is a work of monumental importance by arguably the foremost scholar of Taoism in the world. Insights from the study of Taoism are profoundly changing the way we view China's past, and this book fills the need for a comprehensive history that reflects the progress made in Taoist studies over the last few decades. Though Taoism is known to be an abstruse religion, Robinet lays bare its 'bones and sinews' in exceptionally clear language, one of the things that makes the book so valuable for classroom use."

Product details

• Authors: Robinet Isabelle, Isabelle Robinet, Isabelle P. Robinet
• Assisted by: Phyllis Brooks (Translation)
• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.05.1997
• EAN: 9780804728393
• ISBN: 978-0-8047-2839-3
• No. of pages: 320
• Dimensions: 143 mm x 216 mm x 17 mm
• Weight: 367 g
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Other religions; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; Religion - World Religions, RELIGION / Taoism (see also PHILOSOPHY / Taoist)