Understanding Daoism (Taoism) (Paperback)
Language: English
Published by Independently Published, 2026
- Softcover
- New
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.Grand Eagle Retail
AbeBooks seller since October 12, 2005
Condition: New
£ 9.73
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Paperback. A clear, respectful, and practical guide to Daoism for readers who want to understand one of China's most influential religious and philosophical traditions.Daoism is often reduced to a few familiar ideas: going with the flow, yin and yang, nature, effortless action, or a mysterious book called the Daodejing. Those ideas matter, but they are only the beginning. Daoism also includes temples, priests, rituals, talismans, meditation, breathing practices, sacred mountains, gods, immortals, funerals, healing rites, festivals, family religion, local community practice, and centuries of interaction with Buddhism, Confucianism, and Chinese popular religion.Understanding Daoism (Taoism) gives outsiders a clear mental map of this layered tradition. It explains Daoism as philosophy, religion, culture, practice, and living Chinese inheritance without reducing it to either abstract wisdom quotes or exotic ritual.This book is not written to convert anyone. It is not a devotional manual, a priestly guide, or a polemic for or against Daoism. It is written to explain Daoism fairly: what it teaches, how it is practiced, why it matters, and how it compares with other religious and secular ways of understanding life.Inside, you will find clear explanations of: the Dao, De, wu wei, ziran, simplicity, softness, and naturalnessLaozi, the Daodejing, Zhuangzi, and the classic texts that shape Daoist imaginationyin-yang, qi, the body-cosmos, immortality, inner cultivation, and alchemyDaoist gods, immortals, ancestors, spirits, temples, priests, registers, and ritualsZhengyi and Quanzhen traditions, sacred mountains, festivals, funerals, and local practiceDaoism's relationship with Confucianism, Buddhism, Chinese popular religion, and secular modern lifemodern Daoism in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, diaspora communities, Western wellness culture, and contemporary state regulationThe book also answers questions outsiders actually ask: Is Daoism a religion or a philosophy? Is Taoism the same as Daoism? Do Daoists believe in gods? Is wu wei laziness? Is yin-yang Daoist? Is qigong religious? What is a Daoist priest? Are talismans superstition? How is Daoism different from Buddhism and Confucianism? Can non-Chinese readers learn from Daoism without appropriating it?This is a concise, table-driven, outsider-friendly guide for Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, secular readers, meditators, travelers, students, Chinese-diaspora readers, wellness practitioners, and anyone trying to understand Daoism beyond slogans.Understand with an open mind. Appreciate without pretending everything is simple. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.…
Seller Inventory # 9798185087886
- Title
- Understanding Daoism (Taoism) (Paperback)
- Author
- Amit Goyal
- Publisher
- Independently Published
- Publication year
- 2026
- Condition
- new
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 13
- 9798185087886
- Series
- Book 10 of 13: Understanding Religions
A clear, respectful, and practical guide to Daoism for readers who want to understand one of China’s most influential religious and philosophical traditions.
Daoism is often reduced to a few familiar ideas: going with the flow, yin and yang, nature, effortless action, or a mysterious book called the Daodejing. Those ideas matter, but they are only the beginning. Daoism also includes temples, priests, rituals, talismans, meditation, breathing practices, sacred mountains, gods, immortals, funerals, healing rites, festivals, family religion, local community practice, and centuries of interaction with Buddhism, Confucianism, and Chinese popular religion.
Understanding Daoism (Taoism) gives outsiders a clear mental map of this layered tradition. It explains Daoism as philosophy, religion, culture, practice, and living Chinese inheritance without reducing it to either abstract wisdom quotes or exotic ritual.
This book is not written to convert anyone. It is not a devotional manual, a priestly guide, or a polemic for or against Daoism. It is written to explain Daoism fairly: what it teaches, how it is practiced, why it matters, and how it compares with other religious and secular ways of understanding life.
Inside, you will find clear explanations of:
- the Dao, De, wu wei, ziran, simplicity, softness, and naturalness
- Laozi, the Daodejing, Zhuangzi, and the classic texts that shape Daoist imagination
- yin-yang, qi, the body-cosmos, immortality, inner cultivation, and alchemy
- Daoist gods, immortals, ancestors, spirits, temples, priests, registers, and rituals
- Zhengyi and Quanzhen traditions, sacred mountains, festivals, funerals, and local practice
- Daoism’s relationship with Confucianism, Buddhism, Chinese popular religion, and secular modern life
- modern Daoism in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, diaspora communities, Western wellness culture, and contemporary state regulation
The book also answers questions outsiders actually ask: Is Daoism a religion or a philosophy? Is Taoism the same as Daoism? Do Daoists believe in gods? Is wu wei laziness? Is yin-yang Daoist? Is qigong religious? What is a Daoist priest? Are talismans superstition? How is Daoism different from Buddhism and Confucianism? Can non-Chinese readers learn from Daoism without appropriating it?
This is a concise, table-driven, outsider-friendly guide for Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, secular readers, meditators, travelers, students, Chinese-diaspora readers, wellness practitioners, and anyone trying to understand Daoism beyond slogans.
Understand with an open mind. Appreciate without pretending everything is simple.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Grand Eagle Retail
Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since October 12, 2005
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 6 to 14 business days | 6 to 16 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 0.00 |
Payment methods
Seller's business information
APOLLO ONLINE CORP.
605 Geddes Street
Wilmington, DE U.S.A. 19805
Terms of sale
We guarantee the condition of every book as it¿s described on the Abebooks web sites. If you¿ve changed
your mind about a book that you¿ve ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us
and we¿ll respond within 2 business days.
Books ship from California and Michigan.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, Illinois, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 2 business days. All books within the US ship free of charge. Delivery is 4-14 business days anywhere in the United States.
Books ship from California and Michigan.
If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.