Early Chinese Religion, Part Two: The Period of Division (220-589 Ad) (2 Vols.)

After the Warring States, treated in Part One of this set, there is no more fecund era in Chinese religious and cultural history than the period of division (220-589 AD). During it, Buddhism conquered China, Daoism grew into a mature religion with independent institutions, and, together with Confucianism, these three teachings, having each won its share of state recognition and support, formed a united front against shamanism. While all four religions are covered, Buddhism and Daoism receive special attention in a series of parallel chapters on their pantheons, rituals, sacred geography, community organization, canon formation, impact on literature, and recent archaeological discoveries. This multi-disciplinary approach, without ignoring philosophical and theological issues, brings into sharp focus the social and historical matrices of Chinese religion.

John Lagerwey, PhD (1975) in Chinese literature, Harvard University, is Professor of Daoism at the École Pratique des Hautes Études (Paris) and of Chinese studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has just published China: a Religious State.
Lü Pengzhi, PhD (1999) Sichuan University, is Associate Professor of Daoism at Sichuan University and visiting scholar at the École française d’Extrême-Orient. His primary publications concern early Heavenly Master Daoism and the history of Daoist ritual.