The Daoist Monastic Manual

The Fengdao Keije or Rules and Precepts for Worshipping the Dao dates from the early seventh century and is a key text of medieval Daoist preisthood and monasticism. Compiled to serve the needs of both monastic practitioners and priests in training, it describes the fundamental rules and organisational principles of Daoist institutions.

Livia Kohn offers here the first complete annotated translation of the Fengdao Keije, accompanied by three introductory chapters that outline the development of Daoist organisations, discuss the date and compiliation of the work, and introduce key issues of terminology and world view. Review: Thanks largely to Livia Kohn, we can say that the institutions of medieval Daoism are beginning to come to light.

China Review International