The Pursuit of Life (Chen Yanning and Modern Chinese Taoism)

Author: Wu Yakuai
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-09-01
Features: The Pursuit of Life—Chen Yongning and Modern and Contemporary 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 deeds 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 worth inheriting and learning from 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 manifested in four aspects:
First, Chen Yongning’s spirit of promoting Taoism is worthy of study by contemporary Taoists and sets 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. Even in adversity, Chen Yongning persevered and strove for improvement—how much more so should we, the new generation of Taoists living in the socialist new era, emulate his spirit? Thus, Chen Yongning’s spirit of promoting Taoism will always be a model for contemporary Taoists to learn from and uphold, and it deserves to be carried forward.
Second, Chen Yongning’s patriotic sentiments are worthy of inheritance by contemporary Taoists. His life coincided with a period of rapid turmoil and external and internal crises 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 essence of Chinese culture. His patriotic ideas are analyzed and introduced in detail in this book. Although these ideas were proposed in response to the society of that 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 study by contemporary Taoists. He dedicated his life to studying the art of immortality, integrating and comprehending it to create a unique “New Immortalism.” He advocated “valuing theoretical study and research over worship,” conducting rigorous yet innovative research. He emphasized critical thinking, independent reflection, avoiding conventional thinking, and not blindly trusting authority. Even when examining a single word or phrase in classical texts, he meticulously verified them, never attaching himself to their wording. This rigorous mindset and academic approach are always worth learning from by Taoists studying Taoist culture and by society at large.
Fourth, the publication of this book is an act by Taoist scholars to commemorate a Taoist leader, fully demonstrating the demeanor of Taoist scholars and embodying unity and cooperation within and outside the Taoist community. It is worth promoting and spreading. The author of this book, Wu Yakuai, is a young Taoist scholar. He graduated from the Philosophy Department of Peking University in his early years and later worked exclusively on Taoist research at the Religious Research Institute of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. He then entered The Chinese University of Hong Kong and obtained his doctorate. Wu Yakuai has long been engaged in the study of Taoism, and years of learning and research have laid a solid foundation in religious studies for him. His writing is fluent and lively, and his passion for Taoist academic research gives his research philosophy, attitude, and methods a distinctive character.