Understanding Taoism: Origins, Beliefs, Practices, Holy Texts, Sacred Places - Softcover

This concise, illustrated introduction is an accessible guide to nine key themes of Taoism - including the life of its founding sage Laozi and his teachings, the influential sacred writings of the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi, the concept of wu wei (non interference), the cultivation of simplicity and detachment, the attainment of harmony and the quest for immortality. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore provides a unique distillation of this highly distinctive tradition, from its origins in ancient China to its place in society today.

Jennifer Oldstone-Moore is Assistant Professor at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, where she is a member of the departments of Religion and East Asian Studies. She has contributed to a number of publications including China: The Land of the Heavenly Dragon, World Religions: The Illustrated Guide and scholarly journals. She has written and lectured on various aspects of Taoism, especially its legacy in the modern world. Her previous publications include Understanding Confucianism.