The Writ of the Three Sovereigns: From Local Lore to Institutional Daoism
Language: English
Published by Univ of Hawaii Pr, 2020
Series: Book 1 of 4 - New Daoist Studies
- Softcover
- New

Seller: Revaluation Books, Exeter, United KingdomRevaluation Books
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Condition: New
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370 pages. 8.75x6.00x1.25 inches. In Stock.
Seller Inventory # 0824888324
- Title
- The Writ of the Three Sovereigns: From Local Lore to Institutional Daoism
- Author
- Steavu, Dominic/ Lai, Chi Tim (Editor)/ Bokenkamp, Stephen (Editor)
- Publisher
- Univ of Hawaii Pr
- Publication year
- 2020
- Condition
- Brand New
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0824888324
- ISBN 13
- 9780824888329
- Item weight
- 0.57 kilograms
- Series
- Book 1 of 4: New Daoist Studies
This study, the only book-length treatment of the Writ of the Three Sovereigns in any language, traces the text’s transition from local tradition to empire-wide institutional religion. The volume begins by painting the social and historical backdrop against which the scripture emerged in early fourth-century Jiangnan before turning to its textual history. It reflects on the work’s centerpiece artifacts, the potent talismans in celestial script, as well as other elements of its heritage, namely alchemical elixirs and "true form" diagrams. During the fifth and sixth centuries, with Daoism coalescing into a formal organized religion, the Writ of the Three Sovereigns took on a symbolic role as a liturgical token of initiation while retaining its straightforward language of sovereignty and strong political overtones, which eventually led to its prohibition. The writ endured, however, and later experienced a revival as its influence spread as far as Japan.
Despite its central role in the development of institutional Daoism, the Writ of the Three Sovereigns has remained an understudied topic in Chinese history. Its fragmentary textual record combined with the esoteric nature of its content have shrouded it in speculation. This volume provides a lucid reconstruction of the text’s hidden history and enigmatic practices while shedding light on its contributions to the religious landscape of medieval China.
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Revaluation Books
Exeter, United Kingdom
AbeBooks seller since January 6, 2003
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