Chinese religion
Book Description
This comprehensive anthology opens a window into China's rich tapestry of spiritual traditions, offering readers direct access to the voices and wisdom that have shaped one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. Rather than imposing Western definitions of religion, editor Deborah Sommer presents these diverse spiritual expressions on their own terms, allowing ancient and modern Chinese thinkers to speak for themselves.
Spanning from antiquity to contemporary times, this collection weaves together primary sources from Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and even modern communist thought. Readers encounter the enigmatic wisdom of Lao Tzu's Tao-te ching, the ethical teachings of Confucius, and the profound insights of Chan Buddhist masters alongside works by influential figures like Mencius, Wang Yang-ming, and Mao Tse-tung.
The anthology pays special attention to women's voices in Chinese spirituality, featuring texts both by and about female practitioners and thinkers. Through poetry, philosophical treatises, dramatic works, invocations, and modern fiction, these selections reveal the dynamic evolution of Chinese spiritual thought across millennia.
Each text includes contextual introductions that illuminate its significance and key themes, making complex concepts accessible to contemporary readers. With one-third of the translations appearing for the first time, this volume serves as both scholarly resource and spiritual guide, offering seekers a rare opportunity to explore the depths of Chinese wisdom through authentic primary sources.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~10 hours)
📄 Length: 375 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Quelle
- ✓ Explore Histoire religieuse
- ✓ Explore China, religion
- ✓ Explore timeless philosophical wisdom
- ✓ Explore Philosophie
- ✓ Explore Godsdiensten
