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The Writ Of The Three Sovereigns: From Local Lore To Institutional Daoism (New Daoist Studies),Used
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In 648 Ce, Tang Imperial Authorities Collected Every Copy Of The Writ Of The Three Sovereigns (Sanhuang Wen) From The Four Corners Of The Empire And Burned Them. The Formidable Talismans At Its Core Were Said Not Only To Extend Their Owners Lifespan And Protect Against Misfortune, But Also Propel Them To Stratospheric Heights Of Power, Elevating Them To The Rank Of High Minister Or Even Emperor. Only Two Or Three Centuries Earlier, This Controversial Text Was Unknown In Most Of China With The Exception Of Jiangnan In The South, Where It Was Regarded As Essential Local Lore. In The Span Of A Few Generations, The Writ Of The Three Sovereigns Would Become The Cornerstone Of One Of The Three Basic Corpora Of The Daoist Canon, A Pillar Of Daoismand A Perceived Threat To The State.This Study, The Only Booklength Treatment Of The Writ Of The Three Sovereigns In Any Language, Traces The Texts Transition From Local Tradition To Empirewide Institutional Religion. The Volume Begins By Painting The Social And Historical Backdrop Against Which The Scripture Emerged In Early Fourthcentury Jiangnan Before Turning To Its Textual History. It Reflects On The Works 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 Texts Hidden History And Enigmatic Practices While Shedding Light On Its Contributions To The Religious Landscape Of Medieval China.
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- Q: What is 'The Writ of the Three Sovereigns' about? A: The book explores the historical significance of the Writ of the Three Sovereigns, a text that evolved from local lore in Jiangnan to a central role in institutional Daoism, highlighting its talismans and political implications.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'The Writ of the Three Sovereigns' is Dominic Steavu.
- Q: When was this book published? A: The book was published on July 31, 2019.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 384 pages.
- Q: What is the binding type of the book? A: The book is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: Is this book suitable for beginners in Daoism? A: Yes, the book provides a clear and accessible examination of the Writ of the Three Sovereigns, making it suitable for beginners interested in Daoism.
- Q: What topics are covered in the book? A: The book covers the text's historical context, its transition to institutional Daoism, the significance of talismans, and its eventual prohibition and revival.
- Q: Are there illustrations in the book? A: Yes, this edition is illustrated, enhancing the reader's understanding of the content.
- Q: Does the book discuss the political implications of the Writ of the Three Sovereigns? A: Yes, the book delves into the political overtones of the Writ and its perceived threat to the state throughout history.
- Q: Can this book be beneficial for research purposes? A: Absolutely, this book is the only comprehensive treatment of the Writ of the Three Sovereigns and can serve as a valuable resource for academic research in Chinese history and Daoism.