The Daoist Tradition

Louis Komjathy has composed a comprehensive description of Daoism which combines an abundance of factual information with fresh insights and innovative concepts ... [His] book, based on solid scholarship and personal engagement with the Daoist tradition, is the most comprehensive introduction to Daoism currently available. -- Volker Olles, Humboldt University, Berlin * Journal of Chinese Religions * Komjathy’s book depicts a number of linked but distinct Daoisms, rather than only a single, uniform tradition, by structuring his presentation in terms of both multiple historical periodizations and various overlapping “models of practice and attainment” in which various Daoist practitioners participate across historical periods . . . As a first look at a complex and diverse set of traditions, [Komjathy’s] book may be the best of its kind and certainly replaces treatments published prior to the twenty-first century. -- Jeffrey L. Richey, Berea College * Religious Studies Review * The strength of this book is that Komjathy has immersed himself within the living tradition of Daoism and is able to provide us with detailed accounts of the many factions within the community, the various systems of religious leadership and transmission, the different collections of scripture and the traditional sacred places. It would be difficult to find a more comprehensive account of any of the better known religious traditions. * Religions of South Asia * Louis Komjathy has written a masterpiece. It is detailed, insightful and authoritative, and is simply the best guide to Daoism that is available today. -- James Miller, Associate Professor of Chinese Religions at Queen’s University, Canada The Daoist Tradition: an Introduction, by Louis Komjathy, offers a clear, unbiased, and comprehensive description of Daoism (Taoism) from its roots in ancient China up to a plethora of modern interpretations, from within as well as outside of the Chinese cultural context. By using a “thematic” approach, scholarly as well as popular sources are treated with objective balance, without favoritism or bias. The “philosophy” vs. “superstition” dichotomy favored by 19h century missionaries and 20h century agnostics clearly does not to represent the Daoist Family inside China. The contemporary world is deeply influenced by Daoism, both within China, as well as throughout the “West” and modern Asia. Highly recommended for the general reader, as well as dedicated scholars. -- Michael Saso, Professor Emeritus, University of Hawaii, USA Louis Komjathy has presented us with a comprehensive history of Daoism that demonstrates once and for all that it is a tradition that--while multifarious--contains important themes, ideas, and practices that demonstrate a continuous development from the classical period to the modern world. Finally, a completely integrated history of Daoism that breaks the half century hegemony of the outmoded scholarly view that this tradition is deeply bifurcated, a religion that completely departs from the texts it claims as its foundations. -- Harold Roth, Professor of Religious Studies at Brown University, USA