An interdisciplinary group of scholars explores the social history and anthropology of Daoism from the late nineteenth century to the present, focusing on the evolution of traditional forms of practice and community, as well as modern reforms and reinventions. Essays investigate ritual specialists, body cultivation and meditation traditions, monasticism, new religious movements, state-sponsored institutionalization, and transnational networks.

David A. Palmer is a professor of sociology at Hong Kong University. Xun Liu is a professor of history at Rutgers University.

Contributors:Kenneth Dean, Fan Guangchun, Vincent Goossaert, Adeline Herrou, Lai Chi-tim, Lee Fongmao, Xun Liu, Lü Xichen, David A. Palmer, Kristofer Schipper, Elijah Siegler, Yang Der-ruey

“This pioneering work not only explores the ways in which Daoism was able to adapt and reinvent itself during China’s modern era, but sheds new light on how Daoism helped structure the development of Chinese religious culture. The authors also demonstrate Daoism’s role as a world religion, particularly in terms of emigration and identity. The book’s sophisticated approach transcends previous debates over how to define the term ‘Daoism,’ and should help inspire a new wave of research on Chinese religious movements.”--Paul R. Katz, Academia Sinica, Taiwan