Early history of Taoism

Author: Tang Yijie
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: Early History of Taoism is divided into two parts:
(1) The process by which Taoism developed into a relatively complete religion in China;
(2) A comparison of Taoism and its contemporary rival, Buddhism, in several aspects. Early History of Taoism outlines how Taoism gradually evolved into a relatively complete religion from the Han Dynasty to the early Tang Dynasty. The book argues that by the Eastern Han Dynasty, the social conditions for the formation of a Chinese religion had already been met, and Taiping Jing provided a certain ideological foundation for the establishment of Taoism. By the late Eastern Han Dynasty, two important Taoist sects emerged: the Five Pecks of Rice Sect and the Taiping Sect.
During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties periods, Taoism gradually refined its organizational structure, philosophical and cultivation methods, canonical system, ritual practices, pantheon of deities, and historical lineage. By the early Tang Dynasty, Taoism had developed its own philosophy, thus becoming a complete religion. The book also contends that general religions generally require these conditions.
Early History of Taoism pays special attention to the differences between Buddhism and Taoism during this period. It analyzes aspects such as "Laozi's Transformation into a Barbarian," "Life and Death," "Spirit and Body," "Reincarnation and Responsibility," and "Worldly and Transcendent Existence" based on historical records of the time. Through these analyses, one can understand the characteristics of these two religions and their cultural backgrounds.