Quoted review for Daoist Identity

Daoist Identity: History, Lineage, and Ritual

edited by Livia Kohn

University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2002         343 pages

Daoist Identity is an exploration of the various means by which Daoists over the centuries have created an identity for themselves. Using modern sociological studies of identity formation as its foundation, it brings together a representative sample of in-depth analyses by eminent American and Japanese scholars in the field. Throughout, the authors consider issues never before discussed in Western scholarly literature, including the role of ethnic groups and their identity in the formation of Daoist communities, the contemporary daotan movement in Guangdong and Hong Kong, the evolution of medieval death rituals, and the role of poetry and literati writing in the creation of a personal identity as Daoist.

The penitent frequently entered into a private chamber in order to ritually purify herself or himself through physical and mental fasting, concentrating on various gods that resided in the inner organs of the body, and self-reflecting to determine which of her or his deeds were evil. This was followed by a public confession of sins, possibly self-punishment, and the eventual curing of the affliction.  (p. 12)

 -- quoted review submitted by Maura S.

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