A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF TAOISM IN ORIENTAL LANGUAGES
WILLIAM Y CHEN*
INTRODUCTION
Taoism is a philosophical-religious tradition which has greatly contributed to shaping Chinese cultural and social life for more than two thousand years.
The philosophy of Taoism (Tao-chia 道家) is based on the advocacy of Huang-Lao (Huang-Ti or Yellow Emperor, and Lao-tzu) on wu wei (non-action), quiescence, and the unity of man with nature. With the later addition of magico-religious arts, of the immortality or longevity cults, Taoist religion (Tao-chiao 道教) gradually took shape.
According to the Taoist tradition, Taoist philosophy originated during the reign of the legendary Yellow Emperor who is believed to have ascended to heaven about 4,600 years ago, after he had mastered the essence of Taoism and become an immortal. The major breakthrough of Taoist philosophy, however, came with the Tao te ching (Classic of the Way and its Power), attributed to Lao-tzu. It was the beginning of a philosophical spiritual stream that would develop through the centuries into a mighty river.
The formal organization of the Taoist religion, with hierarchy and rituals, is the work of Chang Tao-ling (2nd century A.D.), who became the first "Heavenly Master", or spiritual head of Taoism, whose 64th successor controls the Taoist "Church" in present-day Taiwan. Most modern sects of Taoism consider Chang Tao-ling as their founder. He infused into Taoism its formal priesthood, as well as aspects of magical faith-healing and exorcism; moreover, moral conduct and the performance of good works became a characteristic of Taoism ever since Han times.
Taoism gradually created its own pantheon, but a distinction should be made between the gods worshipped by the people (gods of "latter heaven") and the supreme deities of "former heaven".
*Mr Chen is a member of the library staff at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF TAOISM IN ORIENTAL LANGUAGES
WILLIAM Y CHEN*
INTRODUCTION
Taoism is a philosophical-religious tradition which has greatly contributed to shaping Chinese cultural and social life for more than two thousand years.
The philosophy of Taoism (Tao-chia IR) is based on the ad- vocacy of Huang-Lao (Huang-T1 or Yellow Emperor, and Lao-tzu) on ww we (non-action), quiescence, and the unity of man with nature With the later addition of magico-religious arts, of the immortality or longevity cults, Taoist religion (Tao-chiao ) gradually took shape
According to the Taoist tradition, Taoist philosophy originated during the reign of the legendary Yellow Emperor who is believed to have ascended to heaven about 4,600 years ago, after he had mastered the essence of Taoism and become an immortal The major break- through of Taoist philosophy, however, came with the Tao te ching (Classic of the Way and its Power), attributed to Lao-tzu it was the beginning of a philosophical spiritual stream that would develop through the centuries into a mighty river
The formal organization of the Taoist religion, with hierarchy and rituals, is the work of Chang Tao-ling (2nd century A.D), who became the first "Heavenly Master", or spiritual head of Taoism, whose 64th successor controls the Taoist "Church" in present-day Taiwan. Most modern sects of Taoism consider Chang Tao-ling as their founder. He infused into Taoism its formal priesthood, as well as aspects of magical faith-healing and exorcism, moreover, moral conduct and the performance of good works became a characteristic of Taoism ever since Han times.
Taoism gradually created its own pantheon, but a distinction should be made between the gods worshipped by the people (gods of "latter heaven") and the supreme deities of "former heaven"
*Mr Chen is a member of the library staff at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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