Celestial masters : history and ritual in early daoist communities

Bibliographic Information

Celestial masters : history and ritual in early daoist communities

Terry F. Kleeman

(Harvard-Yenching Institute monograph series, 102)

Harvard University Asia Center , Harvard University Press [distributor], 2016

  • : hardcover

Available at  / 8 libraries

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Note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

In 142 CE, the divine Lord Lao descended to Mount Cranecall (Sichuan province) to establish a new covenant with humanity through a man named Zhang Ling, the first Celestial Master. Facing an impending apocalypse caused by centuries of sin, Zhang and his descendants forged a communal faith centering on a universal priesthood, strict codes of conduct, and healing through the confession of sins; this faith was based upon a new, bureaucratic relationship with incorruptible supernatural administrators. By the fourth century, Celestial Master Daoism had spread to all parts of China, and has since played a key role in China's religious and intellectual history. Celestial Masters is the first book in any Western language devoted solely to the founding of the world religion Daoism. It traces the movement from the mid-second century CE through the sixth century, examining all surviving primary documents in both secular and canonical sources to provide a comprehensive account of the development of this poorly understood religion. It also provides a detailed analysis of ritual life within the movement, covering the roles of common believer or Daoist citizen, novice, and priest or libationer.

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Details

  • NCID
    BB21959706
  • ISBN
    • 9780674737167
  • LCCN
    2015018475
  • Country Code
    us
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    engchi
  • Place of Publication
    Cambridge, Mass.,Cambridge, Mass.
  • Pages/Volumes
    xiii, 425 p.
  • Size
    24 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
  • Parent Bibliography ID
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