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Published:
June 24, 2013

Taoism For Dummies

Overview

The definitive guide to understanding Taoism—no matter your background or faith

Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching is the second most translated book in the world, and the practice of religious Taoism is on the rise in China, where adherents currently number in the hundreds of millions. Yet there remains a remarkable lack of reliable information about Taoism for curious westerners. Taoism For Dummies provides comprehensive coverage of Taoism's origins in China's Chou Dynasty, its underlying quietist principles, its emergence as a major religion, various interpretation of its core texts, including both Eastern and Western interpretations, key Taoist concepts, and much more. It also provides a fascinating glimpse of Taoism in contemporary China.

  • The ideal guide for readers interested in this influential religion, as well as those taking an introductory course on Taoism or Chinese Religion
  • A valuable source of insight for those with an interest in modern Chinese culture and beliefs
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About The Author

Jonathan Herman, PhD, is the Director of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Georgia State University in Atlanta, where he teaches courses in Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Shinto, world religions, comparative mysticism, and critical theory in the study of religion. He has written extensively on various aspects of Taoism, Chinese religion, and modern religious issues.

Sample Chapters

taoism for dummies

CHEAT SHEET

You may be familiar with Taoism the way your parents were familiar with the music you and your friends listened to when you were a kid — you have a passing knowledge, but wouldn't be able to win any trivia competitions. A lot of what you know about Taoism may be a little fuzzy. To understand Taoism completely is a lifelong journey, but you’d do well to know a little bit about the history of Taoism and its important branches.

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Articles from
the book

Taoism encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices, and cultural traditions, and its history has often followed a “Way” of complicated twists and turns. Here’s a brief timeline that lays out the basic periods of Taoist history. Dates What Happened in Taoist History 6th to 2nd centuries B.C.E. The Tao Te Ching, Chuang Tzu, Nei-yeh, Huai Nan Tzu, and Ma-wang-tui manuscripts were composed.
There have historically been many different types of Taoism, and it’s sometimes hard to keep them all straight or understand how they relate to one another. Here’s a brief summary of the different historical and modern branches of Taoism. Classical Taoism Taoism traces its roots to a series of texts written more than 2,000 years ago.
The origin of Taoism reaches back as far as prehistoric China, and has had a strong influence over Chinese culture throughout its history. The following people shaped Taoism over time, making it what it is today: Lao Tzu: Lao Tzu is the traditional “founder” of Taoism and the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching.
You may be familiar with Taoism the way your parents were familiar with the music you and your friends listened to when you were a kid — you have a passing knowledge, but wouldn't be able to win any trivia competitions. A lot of what you know about Taoism may be a little fuzzy. To understand Taoism completely is a lifelong journey, but you’d do well to know a little bit about the history of Taoism and its important branches.
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