Introducing Daoism

by Livia Kohn

Introducing Daoism is a lively and accessible introduction to this influential Chinese religion, presenting its key concepts and major practices in an integrated historical survey.

Genres: Taoism, China, Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction

296 pages, Hardcover

First published February 26, 2008

About the author

Livia Kohn is Assistant Professor of Religion at Boston University.

Reviews

[Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kohn has crafted an amazing introduction to Daoism in this book. She details everything you need to know to get started understanding this tradition, tracing its history chronologically through the various different schools, focusing on their practices and beliefs. She details the creation of the Daozang, or the Daoist "canon", as well as its division, something lacking in other texts. Furthermore, she discusses the influence of Buddhism on the religion as well, and touches on the parts of Daoism that come from traditional Chinese correlative cosmology, such as yin and yang, as well as the five phases.

What sets Kohn's book apart, however, is the plethora of further reading she gives. At the end of every chapter, there are at least five more books specifically dedicated to the topics covered in that chapter. This gives the interested reader more resources to delve deeper into the religion. She also has a chapter on the state of Daoist studies, which lists a history of the topic and gives some more recent influential books the reader might be interested in.

[Brian Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kohn supplies a good basic textbook on Daoism, with summary points and discussion questions for each section. She walks through the history of evolving sects and practices, always with an insightful, matter-of-fact voice. The book has a good balance of past, present, and future. It covers modern developments such as new Qigong sects, trendy Daoist retreat centers for upscale clients, Daoist influence in the West, and recent trends in Daoist studies. The book puts the reader in touch with organizations, resources, and individuals who are shaping or exploring this huge tradition.

[Diego Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic introduction to the Taoism religion as a whole. It doesn't only cover the philosophy part of Taoism, which is the most popular branch in the West but it also cover rituals and everything about the organized religion. It gives an excellent overview and familiarizes the reader to the most important concepts in Taoism.

[Dominik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Porządny podręcznik.

[Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 The best introduction to Daoism I am aware of. Professor Kohn has written many books about Daoism, and seems to be the lead , living expert. This book has one of the most indepth, understandable, and compelling explanations of yin/ yang I've come across. This book is set up as a college level textbook with clearly defined chapter goals and point summaries at each chapter's end. Religious Daoism is covered in detail. The end of the book covers modern Daoism in China and also the Dao's effect on Western culture today. Overall highly readable and clearly presented.

[Rasmus Tillander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sivistysmatka jatkuu itselleni täysin tuntemattomilla vesillä. Ennen tämän lukemista en tiennyt taolaisuudesta juuri mitään. Ja nyt kun Livia Kohn avasi minulle millainen moneen suuntaan kurottava uskonnollis-yhteiskunnallis-kulttuurinen kokonaisuus taolaisuus on, en koe asiasta enää niin huonoa omaatuntoa. Kirja ei siis missään nimessä ole huono, se selkeästi kirjoitettu oppikirja ja yleisesitys, mutta taolaisuus vain on todella monitahoista.

Mutta ainakin nyt tiedän miksi se on niin monitahoista. Taolaisuus on tietenkin tavalla tai toisella naimisissa Kiinan historian ja kulttuurin kanssa, mutta sen lisäksi siihen on sekoittunut omintakeisella tavalla kungfutselaisia ja buddhalaisia elementtejä. Tämän lisäksi taolaisuuden sisällä on myös monia haaroja, jotka ainakin omasta mielestäni erosivat toisistaan huomattavasti enemmän kuin vaikka luterilaiset ja katolilaiset.

Mutta kyseessä on kuitenkin superkiinnostava traditio, josta löytyy niin luista ennustamista, kuolemattomia mestareita, feng shuita, taivaallisia virastoja kuin myös vuosisatoja aikaansa edellä ollutta filosofiaa ja häkellyttävän monimutkaista metafysiikkaa.

Tähän postaukseen en uskalla kirjoitella mitään tiivistelmiä tai hauskoja löytöjä, koska vaara, että esittäisin ne väärin on merkittävä. Kerrottakoon kuitenkin, että opin vihdoin mistä Dynasty Warriors -pelisarjasta tutussa Keltaisten turbaanien kapinassa (183 jKr.) oli kyse.

[Bumbierītis · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Routledge World Religions series books are so good! This is my third book in the series and while as a staunch atheist I am mostly reading them for cultural understanding, in reality they’re more like really good Fantasy books. All of the religions that I have read about thus far (Buddhism, Hinduism and now Daoism) have included sharp and poignant observations about the human condition, then have had interesting and at times completely wacky ideas on how to improve or overcome this human condition, and all of that sprinkled with politics and history.

Daoism did not disappoint!

Daoism: So, there are unknown forces beyond and then the universe exists in balance of yin and yang.
Me: Oh yes, that's beautiful!
Daoism: Yes, and to achieve balance eat local, seasonal food in moderation, do moderate exercise.
Me: Hey, well that's like modern lifestyle advice, so relatable!
Daoism: Yes, and women are welcome and menstruation is not yuck.
Me: Would you believe that! A religion like that!
Daoism: Yes, and now let's do some internal alchemy and eat some mercury.
Me: Wait... what??

:D

[Darnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introductory textbook.

[Samppa Mäkelä · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oppikirjamainen esitys, oppikirjaksi oikein hyvä.

[Mindfulnessmyttymuhveli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Laaja historiallinen pintaliito taolaisuuden kehitykseen uskontona eikä niinkään johdatus taolaisuuden filosofiaan syvemmin. Lisäksi kirja on hyvin kurssi-/oppikirjamainen, mikä teki lukemisesta puuduttavaa. Jätin kesken.

[Jack Luminous · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dobre wprowadzenie, przejrzyste i z szerokim kontekstem. Warto.