The mysterious gate: daoist monastic liturgy in late imperial China

Abstract

In this thesis I argue that in order to understand Daoist monasticism we must understand their daily liturgy. As one of the few practices shared by members of a religious order spread over a large geographical area, the liturgy represents the most basic set of views and practices its members shared. As chanted text, liturgy also represents textual doctrine 'in action,' by examining the contents of that liturgy we gain greater insight into the nature of Daoist monasticism. I begin by reviewing the history of the Daoist monastic school known as the Quanzhen. In the second chapter I examine the social and soteriological roles of liturgy according to the most dominant order of the Quanzhen, the Longmen, by relying on liturgical and normative texts. In the third chapter I analyze an influential Longmen liturgical manual. Finally, I compare the structure of Daoist liturgy with the daily liturgy of Chinese Buddhist monasteries. I also contrast the Daoist monastic liturgy with other forms of Daoist ritual in order to demonstrate the unique nature of Daoist monastic liturgy.