Daoist Principles: Taoism · Taoist Religion · Immortal Studies: Taoism · Taoist Religion · Immortal Studies

Author: Hu Fuchen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-01-01
Features: This book presents the history of Taoism, its main ideas and doctrines, explores its cultural characteristics and its status in Chinese history, and dedicates chapters to the internal alchemy, external alchemy, health preservation, sexual techniques, and divination of Taoism, discussing a series of issues related to its innovation and development in the new historical period and social context. The book offers fresh perspectives and bold insights, making for an engaging read.
Part 1: General Discussion
Chapter 1: Establishing the Name of Taoism
Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian·Biography of Laozi states: "Laozi was a native of Lixian, Kurong Village, Quren in the state of Chu. He belonged to the Li family, with the given name Er and the courtesy name Dan. He was the keeper of the archives in the Zhou court." It also says: "Laozi practiced the Way and Virtue, making it his goal to remain hidden and avoid fame. After staying in the Zhou court for a long time, seeing its decline, he left. Upon reaching the pass, the gatekeeper Yin Xi said, 'You are going to hide now, so please write a book for me.' Laozi then wrote two chapters, speaking of the meaning of the Way and Virtue for over five thousand words, before leaving, never to be heard from again."