Aux portes du ciel
Book Description
Through a remarkable decade-long investigation in China's Hunan province, anthropologist Patrice Fava unveils a hidden world of Taoist spiritual practice that has survived for centuries. This extraordinary journey began with the discovery of polychrome wooden statues in a southern Chinese market, each containing sacred consecration documents that revealed the identities of Taoist masters, their communities, and their spiritual aspirations.
What emerged from this archaeological treasure trove was evidence of an unbroken chain of Taoist wisdom stretching back to the ancient teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi. Nearly two thousand statues, primarily from the Qing dynasty period, tell the story of a living tradition that has quietly flourished despite China's tumultuous historical changes. The consecration texts within these sacred figures provide intimate glimpses into local spiritual life, documenting the prayers, hopes, and devotional practices of generations of believers.
Fava's anthropological approach reveals how Taoist masters and sculptors in Hunan have preserved ancient practices of immortal worship, maintaining spiritual lineages that connect contemporary seekers with classical Chinese wisdom. By comparing historical Taoist scriptures with current liturgical practices, the author demonstrates the remarkable continuity of this mystical tradition while highlighting the unique regional variations that make each community's spiritual expression distinct.
This richly illustrated work offers readers interested in spiritual development a rare window into authentic Taoist practice, showing how ancient wisdom adapts and survives across centuries while maintaining its essential transformative power.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~18 hours)
📄 Length: 650 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Popular culture
- ✓ Discover Taoist philosophy and way of life
- ✓ Explore Idols and images
- ✓ Learn the way of the Tao
- ✓ Explore Statues
- ✓ Explore Sculpture
- ✓ Explore Taoist art and symbolism
- ✓ Explore Art and anthropology
