Blue Dragon White Tiger: Taoist Rites of Passage

by Michael R. Saso

Overview

A view of Chinese religion from the Taoist perspective, derived from field work in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the People’s Republic of China, this book is based on the Taoist hypothesis that all Chinese rites of passage and festivals are structured by Yin-yang Five Element cosmology. Buddhist and Taoist meditation of emptying, marriage, birthing, initiation, burial, ancestor rituals, and the annual festivals are described through the eyes of the experts called on to serve family and village needs. The work ends with a view of religion in the People’s Republic of China during a period of renewal and restoration.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780824813611
Publisher:	Taoist Center
Publication date:	10/01/1990
Series:	Asian Spirituality, Taoist Studies Series
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgements	v
	Introduction	vii
1.	The Tao of Ritual	1
2.	The Tao of Emptying	27
3.	The Spiritual Quest	65
4.	The Rite of Marriage	99
5.	Birthing and Capping	121
6.	Burial and Ancestor Rites	140
7.	The Annual Cycle of festivals	161
8.	Religion in China Today	193
	Select Bibliography	215