Prehistory of Daoism
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Summary
This classic work by Xu Dishan offers a systematic account of the origins and development of Daoist thought and Daoist religion. Originally planned in two volumes, the first volume details Daoist thought and the various magical practices that preceded the formation of Daoist religion (such as fangshu and fulu), while the second volume was to discuss the doctrines and teachings of Daoism in its later development but was never published. The book opens by analyzing the complex meanings of "Dao," distinguishing the intellectual tradition of "Daojia" from the religious tradition of "Daojiao," and surveys the classifications and critiques of Daoism by scholars such as Liu Xie and Ma Duanlin. Drawing extensively on classics including the Shiji, Hanshu, and Zhuangzi, the author explores the controversies surrounding Laozi and his book, the establishment and development of Daoist thought (covering schools such as Guan Yin, Yang Zhu, and Liezi), and the origins of Daoism in immortality practices, talismanic arts, and shamanic culture, clearly tracing the evolution from pre-Qin Daoist philosophy to the proto-Daoist religion of the Han dynasty and providing an important reference for understanding the early history of China's indigenous religion.
Editor's review
With scholarly rigor and a literatus's clarity, Xu Dishan disentangles the two concepts so often conflated, “Daoist philosophy” and “Daoist religion,” tracing from the Shiji, Hanshu, Zhuangzi, and other classics a line of evolution from pre-Qin philosophy to the embryonic religion of the Han. The book offers solid citation and careful analysis of the controversies over Laozi and his book, the unfolding of the Guan Yin, Yang Zhu, and Liezi currents, and the relation of fangshu, talismans, and shamanic culture to the formation of Daoism. The first part details Daoist thought and the various arts and techniques preceding the rise of the religion; although the second part was never published, what survives already gives readers a clear outline of the early history of this indigenous religion. The book suits readers willing to read slowly and linger among classical citations, and serves as an introductory reference for understanding the overlap of Chinese intellectual and religious history. Keep a pen at hand to note the author's summaries of earlier scholars' classifications and critiques; it will make the book's central questions easier to grasp.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- General readers interested in Chinese intellectual and religious history
- Students of literature and history who need to trace the origins and development of Daoist philosophy and religion
- Slow readers who prefer to judge for themselves from classical citations
- Readers curious about the relation of fangshu and shamanic practices to the formation of Daoism
Not a good fit for
- Casual readers expecting light stories or popular retellings
- Readers seeking a systematic, complete exposition of Daoist doctrine and liturgy
- Beginners unaccustomed to classical Chinese quotations and scholarly analysis
Reading tips
- Begin with the opening discussion distinguishing “Dao” from Daoist philosophy and Daoist religion to establish the book's framework before reading on.
- When encountering quotations from the Shiji, Hanshu, and other works, skip the details at first, grasp the author's conclusion, then return to check the citations.
- As you read, keep a small table of figures and schools to help clarify the threads of Guan Yin, Yang Zhu, Liezi, and others.
- After finishing, compare with general histories of Daoism to fill in the doctrinal part left unpublished.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 弁言
- 绪说
- 第一章 道底意义
- 第二章 道家思想底建立者老子
- 第三章 老子以后底道家
- 第四章 道家最初底派别
- 第五章 秦汉底道家
- 第六章 神仙底信仰与追求
- 第七章 巫觋道与杂术
FAQ
How does this book differ from general histories of Daoism?
The book focuses on the “prehistory”—Daoist thought and the fangshu and shamanic roots before the formation of the religion—rather than a complete history of Daoism's development. Through extensive classical citation the author distinguishes Daoist philosophy from Daoist religion and traces the evolution from pre-Qin philosophy to the embryonic religion of the Han, with a problem orientation closer to the overlap of intellectual and religious history.
Does the unpublished second part affect the book's completeness?
To some extent. The second part was intended to discuss the liturgy and doctrine of Daoism's development; the surviving first part mainly treats Daoist thought and the arts and techniques preceding the religion's formation. Readers who want a doctrinal system will need to supplement with general works; but for the “prehistory,” what survives already offers a clear account of origins and development.
Can I read it without a foundation in classical Chinese?
Yes, but it requires patience. The book quotes extensively from the Shiji, Hanshu, Zhuangzi, and other classics, and the author paraphrases and analyzes the citations. Readers weak in classical Chinese can first grasp the author's conclusions, then return to the quotations; keeping a pen to note figures and schools will lower the difficulty.
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About the author
Xu Dishan
Author · Chinese · 1893–1941
Xu Dishan (1893–1941), whose given name was Zan Kun and whose pen name was Luo Huasheng, was born in Tainan, Taiwan, with ancestral roots in Jieyang, Guangdong. A modern writer and scholar, he was one of the founders of the Literary Research Society and taught at Yenching University and the University of Hong Kong. His essays are lucid and understated, while his fiction draws on real life and blends social realism with philosophical reflection. His representative works include the essay "Peanuts" and the novels "The Spider's Web" and "Spring Peach." This collection holds 56 of his works, spanning classics, literary appreciation, essays and miscellaneous writings, and social fiction, including public-domain editions of "Empty Mountain, Spiritual Rain," "The Spider's Web," and "Spring Peach," as well as the scholarly work "A Prehistory of Daoism," reflecting his dual achievement in creative writing and scholarship.
