Taoist Mystical Philosophy - The Scripture of Western Ascension

The Scripture of Western Ascension is a central text of medieval Taoist mysticism. Written by an unknown author in the fifth century A.D., it closely resembles the Tao te ching in structure and contents. Edited and commented on several times until the twelfth century, the text played an important role in Taoist religious thought.

Kohn presents the first Western introduction to this aspect of traditional Chinese religion and culture. Through her careful textual study and fully annotated translation of the Scripture of Western Ascension, she delineates the history, structure, and contents of what mystical thought meant within the Taoist religion. She also discusses the religious background of the text and provides detailed analyses of the philosophical concepts of "The Physical Universe," "Mind, Knowledge, Language," and "The Way of the Sage."

About the author

Livia Kohn is Assistant Professor of Religion at Boston University. She has also written Seven Steps to the Tao, Sima Chengzhen's Zuowanglun, and Taoist Meditation and Longevity Techniques.

Product details

• Authors: Livia Kohn
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 05.04.1991
• EAN: 9780791405420
• ISBN: 978-0-7914-0542-0
• No. of pages: 345
• Series: SUNY Series in Modern Jewish L; SUNY Series in Modern Jewish L; Suny Chinese Philosophy and Cu
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Other religions; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous