Early Chinese Mysticism : Philosophy and Soteriology in the Taoist Tradition

by Livia Kohn

Did Chinese mysticism vanish after its first appearance in ancient Taoist philosophy, to surface only after a thousand years had passed, when the Chinese had adapted Buddhism to their own culture? This first integrated survey of the mystical dimension of Taoism disputes the commonly accepted idea of such a hiatus. Covering the period from the Daode jing to the end of the Tang, Livia Kohn reveals an often misunderstood Chinese mystical tradition that continued through the ages. Influenced by but ultimately independent of Buddhism, it took forms more various than the quietistic withdrawal of Laozi or the sudden enlightenment of the Chan Buddhists. On the basis of a new theoretical evaluation of mysticism, this study analyzes the relationship between philosophical and religious Taoism and between Buddhism and the native Chinese tradition. Kohn shows how the quietistic and socially oriented Daode jing was combined with the ecstatic and individualistic mysticism of the Zhuangzi, with immortality beliefs and practices, and with Buddhist insight meditation, mind analysis, and doctrines of karma and retribution. She goes on to demonstrate that Chinese mysticism, a complex synthesis by the late Six Dynasties, reached its zenith in the Tang, laying the foundations for later developments in the Song traditions of Inner Alchemy, Chan Buddhism, and Neo-Confucianism.

Genres: Religion, Mysticism, Taoism, Philosophy, Nonfiction

234 pages, Paperback

First published October 23, 1991

About the author

Livia Kohn is Assistant Professor of Religion at Boston University.

Reviews

[Tony Gualtieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history of the evolution of Taoism and its synthesis with Buddhism during the Tang dynasty. The impressive eclecticism of ancient Chinese thought is on full show here as well as the curiously political focus of much of the writing. Kohn shows that this is really an exploration of how the Tao operates in society. Most interesting is the way indigenous Chinese philosophy assimilated Mahāyāna concepts and how congenial those concepts were to Taoist thought.

[kaɪl zezotaaarski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book because I've loved the principles of Taoism and have been very interested in it since I was first exposed to it in high school, but had only ever understood it via Western interpretation (e.g., Tao of Pooh) and reading a couple primary texts (Tao Te Ching and Zhuangze). I felt it was important to understand its history and development in China and get a sense of what Taoism has meant to Taoists throughout the ages.

This book was truly helpful to that end, tracing the development of Taoist philosophy, practice and cosmology from the earliest texts (Tao Te Ching) through the synthesis of its many key traditions in the Tang dynasty. It surveys the major points of more than a thousand years of development in a short and somewhat dense, but very approachable text (if this is a topic you're interested in).

I believe it helps to have a sense of general Taoist worldview and terminology, and familiarity with some of the early texts before reading this. There is so much information that a basic understanding seems necessary not only to fully digest the details, but also to enjoy the reading experience.

For me, Early Chinese Mysticism provided incredibly grounding context to a religion and philosophy that, prior to reading, I now recognize myself as having had an extremely jumbled and muddy understanding of. Its survey of key texts and their placement on a linear timeline gives both foundation and direction for further study so I can read more and know what I'm reading. I also look forward to reading more of Kohn's work on this subject.

[Arthur Rosenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic in the field.

[Micah Dunwoody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even for a book written as old as this (1992), Livia Kohn offers an understanding for the Daoist religion from the Han to Tang dynasties by illustrating it's influences from early Daoist philosophy, indigenous beliefs and practices, as well as Buddhism. While her interpretation of "Daodejing" is unlike that of some readers', it contributes to the point that many Daoist Mystics sought coexistence with their political regimes without dejecting the world entirely. Meanwhile, others sought to get away from the troubles and suffering of the world and take residence in paradises, earthly or heavenly, and eventually absorb into Dao itself. While also providing details on the development of Shangqing Daoism, this book elaborates on a line of thinking and practice that is neither entirely religion nor philosophy. Simultaneously, it shows how the religion existed within and was influenced by Chinese society rather than being opposed to worldly living altogether.