Heavenly Masters: Two Thousand Years of the Daoist State

by Vincent Goossaert

The origins of modern Daoism can be traced to the Church of the Heavenly Master (Tianshidao), reputedly established by the formidable Zhang Daoling. In 142 CE, according to Daoist tradition, Zhang was visited by the Lord on High, who named him his vicar on Earth with the title Heavenly Master. The dispensation articulated an eschatological vision of saving initiates--the pure, those destined to become immortals--by enforcing a strict moral code...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0824889029
• ISBN13: 9780824889029
• Release Date: November 2021
• Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.2" x 9.1"