The Pursuit of Life: Chen Yuning and Modern and Contemporary Chinese Taoism

Author: Wu Yaqi
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-09-01
Features: The Pursuit of Life—Chen Yongning and Modern Taoism is a systematic and in-depth academic monograph on Chen Yongning. Based on various historical materials, the book comprehensively examines and describes the life and achievements of Chen Yongning, while systematically introducing and analyzing his thoughts through his various writings. It holds significant academic value. Through the study of this book, we have deeply felt the personal charm and foresight of Chen Yongning. As the author of this book states: Whenever we seek the source of revitalizing Taoism, Chen Yongning has always provided us with the most valuable spiritual wealth and intellectual nourishment. Therefore, exploring the life path and intellectual trajectory of Chen Yongning holds great significance for the construction and development of contemporary Chinese Taoism, as well as for the future direction of Taoism in China. In this sense, we can say that Chen Yongning’s contributions to the cause of Chinese Taoism are epoch-making, and his thoughts and spirit are worthy of inheritance and learning by future generations—this is precisely the value of this book. For this reason, it is highly meaningful and valuable for Shanghai Qinci Yanding Taoist Temple to recommend this book as part of its Taoist Cultural Series to a broad readership. As a systematic work introducing Chen Yongning, this book can be considered successful and highly relevant. Its success and significance are primarily reflected in four aspects:
First, Chen Yongning’s spirit of promoting Taoism is worthy of learning for contemporary Taoists, setting an example for the Taoist community. Chen Yongning’s outstanding contributions to Taoism throughout his life will forever inspire contemporary Taoists to strive and achieve. Chen Yongning demonstrated perseverance even in adversity; how much more should we, as the new generation of Taoists in the socialist new era, emulate his spirit? Therefore, Chen Yongning’s spirit of promoting Taoism remains a model for contemporary Taoists to learn from and uphold, and it deserves to be widely promoted.
Second, Chen Yongning’s patriotic sentiments are worthy of inheritance for contemporary Taoists. His life coincided with a period of rapid turmoil and external threats in modern Chinese history, as well as an era when patriotic figures sought to revitalize the nation. In the face of imperialist aggression, Chen Yongning remained a loyal patriot. Starting from a simple sense of national pride, he regarded the ancient cultural traditions embedded in the indigenous Taoist scriptures as the essence and advocated their promotion, determined to create an ideal land of peace through the refinement of national culture. His patriotic ideas are analyzed and introduced in detail in this book. Although these ideas were proposed in response to the social conditions of the time, the spirit and sentiments of patriotism they embody are worth learning from and inheriting.
Third, Chen Yongning’s rigorous academic approach is worthy of learning for contemporary Taoists. He devoted his entire life to studying the path of immortality, integrating and synthesizing knowledge to create a distinctive “New Immortalism.” He emphasized “focusing on academic theory and research, not on blind veneration.” His scholarly work was both rigorous and innovative, advocating critical thinking, independent reflection, and avoiding adherence to tradition or unquestioning authority. He meticulously examined every word and phrase in classical texts, never attaching himself to their wording. This rigorous mindset and scholarly approach are timeless and all Taoists studying Taoist culture and society to learn from.
Fourth, the publication of this book is a testament to the efforts of Taoist scholars in documenting the lives of Taoist leaders, fully showcasing the demeanor of Taoist scholars and embodying unity and cooperation within and beyond the Taoist community. It is commendable and worth promoting.
The author of this book, Wu Yaqi, is a young scholar of Taoism. He graduated from the Philosophy Department of Peking University in his early years and later worked as a researcher specializing in Taoism at the Religious Research Institute of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. He then pursued his doctorate at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Wu Yaqi has long been engaged in the study of Taoism, and years of learning and research have laid a solid foundation in religious studies. His writing is fluent and lively, and his passion for Taoist academic research gives his research philosophy, attitude, and methods a distinctive character.