Taoism For Dummies book cover

Taoism For Dummies

Overview

The definitive guide to understanding Taoism—no matter your background or faith

Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching is the second most translated book in the world, and the practice of religious Taoism is on the rise in China, where adherents currently number in the hundreds of millions. Yet there remains a remarkable lack of reliable information about Taoism for curious westerners. Taoism For Dummies provides comprehensive coverage of Taoism's origins in China's Chou Dynasty, its underlying quietist principles, its emergence as a major religion, various interpretation of its core texts, including both Eastern and Western interpretations, key Taoist concepts, and much more. It also provides a fascinating glimpse of Taoism in contemporary China.

  • The ideal guide for readers interested in this influential religion, as well as those taking an introductory course on Taoism or Chinese Religion
  • A valuable source of insight for those with an interest in modern Chinese culture and beliefs
The definitive guide to understanding Taoism—no matter your background or faith

Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching is the second most translated book in the world, and the practice of religious Taoism is on the rise in China, where adherents currently number in the hundreds of millions. Yet there remains a remarkable lack of reliable information about Taoism for curious westerners. Taoism For Dummies provides comprehensive coverage of Taoism's origins in China's Chou Dynasty, its underlying quietist principles,

its emergence as a major religion, various interpretation of its core texts, including both Eastern and Western interpretations, key Taoist concepts, and much more. It also provides a fascinating glimpse of Taoism in contemporary China.

  • The ideal guide for readers interested in this influential religion, as well as those taking an introductory course on Taoism or Chinese Religion
  • A valuable source of insight for those with an interest in modern Chinese culture and beliefs
Taoism For Dummies Cheat Sheet

You may be familiar with Taoism the way your parents were familiar with the music you and your friends listened to when you were a kid — you have a passing knowledge, but wouldn't be able to win any trivia competitions. A lot of what you know about Taoism may be a little fuzzy. To understand Taoism completely is a lifelong journey, but you’d do well to know a little bit about the history of Taoism and its important branches. Taoism wouldn’t be Taoism without the contributions of key figures over time. Knowing who those people were gives you a greater appreciation of what Taoism is today.