Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 1. Introduction 2. The Lives of Taoist Ascetics (1)-Depictions in the Liexian zhuan and Shenxian zhuan 3. The Lives of Taoist Ascetics (2)-Depictions in the Daoxue zhuan 4. Taoist Methods of Fasting The Fasting Regimen of the Zhonghuang jing The Fasting Regimens of the Daoji tuna jing and Tuna jing Imbibing the Five Qi Imbibing the Essences of the Sun and Moon Talisman Swallowing Sucking on a Seed Drug Recipes Final Comments 5. Asceticism in the Shangqing Texts The Buddhist Influence Non-Buddhistic Reasons for Celibacy Gaining Divine Sympathy Evils in the Worldly Environment The Place of Asceticism in the Hierarchy of Spiritual Progress The Glorification of Suicidal Methods 6. Asceticism in the Lingbao Scriptures The New Saintly Ideal Precepts and Retreats A Soteriological Puzzle 7. Criticisms of Heretical Asceticism in the Yuqing jing 8. Conclusion Appendix: Summary Information on the Lingbao Scriptures Cited in Chapter Six Notes Bibliography Index

About the Author

Stephen Eskildsen is Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Religion, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Reviews

"At last a book which gives the subject of Taoist ascetic practices the serious and sustained attention it deserves. Eskildsen's book is a significant contribution to the field for it enables us to appreciate an important religious phenomenon as it developed across several different periods and movements within Taoist history." - Sarah A. Queen, Connecticut College