History and legend are interwoven in this tale of adventure that both entertains and instructs. Written by an unknown author, Seven Taoist Masters is the story of six men and one woman who overcome tremendous hardships on the journey to self-mastery. These characters and their teacher, Wang Ch'ung-yang, are all historical figures who lived in the Southern Sung (1127-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties. Wang is regarded as the greatest patriarch of the Complete Reality school, a highly purified branch of Taoism having a strong affinity with Zen Buddhism. The novel brings to life the essentials of Taoist philosophy and practice, both through the instructions offered by Wang--on topics such as the cultivation of mind and body, meditation techniques, and overcoming the four obstacles of anger, greed, lust, and drunkenness--and through the experiences of the characters.

In this seventeenth-century Chinese novel, Han Xiangzi, best known as one of the Eight Immortals, seeks and achieves immortality and then devotes himself to converting his materialistic, politically ambitious Confucian uncle—Han Yu, a real historical figure—to Daoism. Written in lively vernacular prose interspersed with poems and songs, the novel takes its readers across China, to the heavens, and into the underworld. Readers listen to debates among Confucians, Daoists, and Buddhists and witness trials of faith and the performance of magical feats. In the mode of the famous religious novel Journey to the West, The Story of Han Xiangzi uses colorful characters, twists of plot, witty dialogue, and action suitable for a superhero comic book to convey its religious message—that worldly life is ephemeral and that true contentment can be found only through Daoist cultivation. This is the first translation into any Western language of Han Xiangzi quanzhuan (literally, The Complete Story of Han Xiangzi). On one level, the novel is a delightful adventure; on another, it is serious theology. Although The Story of Han Xiangzi’s irreverent attitude toward the Confucian establishment prevented its acceptance by literary critics in imperial China, it has remained popular among Chinese readers for four centuries. Philip Clart’s introduction outlines the Han Xiangzi story cycle, presents Yang Erzeng in his social context, assesses the literary merits and religious significance of the text, and explores the theory and practice of inner alchemy. This unabridged translation will appeal to students of Chinese literature and to general readers who enjoy international fiction, as well as to readers with an interest in Daoism.

This is the Chinese version of "The Saga of a Taoist Nun", Book 1. Hanson Chan's The Saga of a Taoist Nun 1 & 2 , the second editions of Hua Hu, Book 1 & 2, both previously published in Chinese and in English, are novels of Chinese martial arts based on a historical event and polemics between Taoism and Buddhism during the imperial times in China. The center and focus of this religious controversy were an ancient Taoist scripture, known as Hua Hu Jing, which was written and circulated in China since the fourth century. According to history, the Taoist scripture stated that Lao Tzu, the famous philosopher and author of the Tao Te Ching, after finished his writing for the foundation of Taoism left China for India, where he taught a student named Sakyamuni, and that this last disciple of his founded a religion later called Buddhism, which preached kindness to all. However, the above story was challenged by Buddhists and deemed as a fabricated slander. For centuries, debates between the two religions were held without any result until the time of Khan Kubilai's reign when the Taoists were finally announced defeated and the then Mongol emperor decreed that all copies of Hua Hu Jing were to be banned and burnt...... Hanson Chan, author of the novels Hua Hu 1—The Forbidden Scripture & Hua Hu 2—Thunder Spell, used this historical incident as background and wrote the story of a Taoist girl who at the last request of her Sifu must fulfill her sworn duty to save the sole surviving copy. Hua Hu, Book 1: The Forbidden Scripture describes the twists and turns of her flight from Yenching (today's Beijing) with the book, while being pursued by Buddhist's and the Mongol military, to Dun-Huang. Hua Hu, Book 2: The Thunder Spell uncovers secrets hidden within the Taoist scripture. It was believed that the instruction for “Thunder Spell” was kept within the text of Hua Hu Jing. As legend revealed, the magical power of Thunder Spell was the highest technique for Taoists to summon deities of natural forces to perform magic in their ceremonial services. If one possessed the skill, power and success would be followed soon. So, in the process of unveiling the final truth, the Taoist girl was trapped and forced into a series of bloody fights against trickery and betrayal, selfishness and vanity, as well as dreams and disappointments during her struggles and involvement with different other sects in Taoism. In writing these two novels, Hanson Chan not only examined volumes of books related to the historical incidents, but also made several trips to China to visit various sites of interest for factual details. He will share his research and information with readers in these books.

The Tao Te Ching The Way of the Power is referred to as the Laozi and is one of only several ancient Chinese texts in existence. The text's true authorship and date of writing is unknown, although the oldest excavated copy dates back to the late 4th century BC, around the time of Adam and eve was in the Garden of Eden, Cain kills his brother Abel and the bronze age provides better weapons for men to kill each other. The Way of the Power was reduced to 34 chapters from 81 by the author. It's an example of Asian culture's way it stored and passed on Asian wisdom and knowledge, but updated using 21st century principles of modern psychology, Physics, Engineering and Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian religious theology for easier reading versus the way in which the West developed and used libraries and books on science, philosophy, architecture etc during the same time to do the same. The ideas are condensed to singular; the style is poetic. The rhetorical style now combines short, declarative statements and "possible" intentional contradictions for the reader to exercise their reasoning and deduction skills. The first lines create memorable phrases, while the second forces the reader to create their own understanding of the possible contradictions. The Tao Te Ching The Way of Power is one of just a few fundamental text for Taoist, Legalists, Confucius, Daosts and Buddhist followers to study as the Western Christian Bible is studied, which when it was first introduced, was interpreted through the Daoist words and concepts. The author includes many original Chinese art works including poetry, paintings, calligraphy and gardeners, and many artists used the Tao Te Ching for inspiration. Its influence spread widely outside Asia as well, and is among the most translated text in world literature due to the lack of ancient texts from Asian cultures. The Wade-Giles romanization for the "Tao Te Ching" dates back to early English transliterations in the late 19th century; its influence can be seen in words and phrases that are well established in English. The passages are purposefully ambiguous, and topics range from political advice for rulers to practical wisdom for everyday people. Because the variety of interpretation is limitless, not only for different people but for the same person over time, readers should avoid making claims of objectivity or definability. Its for those serious readers who want to have a mind expanding experience, one that will broadens one's ability to understand the less demanding Western texts while increasing one's wisdom and knowledge of the universe around us.

The Tao of Tranquility is the definitive translation and explanation of the Qingjing Jing, the Taoist classic from the Tang Dynasty more than a thousand years ago. It has a special place in the history of Eastern thought, because it is the only sutra to weave Tao insights and Buddhist teachings together. This forms a wondrous tapestry of enlightenment and creates a synergistic fusion that is far greater than the sum of its parts. Now, for the first time, Western readers can explore this ancient treasure and reap the benefits of its wisdom. What is the meaning of existence? How do we deal with delusions and suffering in the world? How can we attain real peace of mind that lasts? All these questions and more are examined in the Qingjing Jing. Let The Tao of Tranquility reveal its answers to the greatest questions of life - and take you on the path to your spiritual awakening.

The Tao of Tranquility is the definitive translation and explanation of the Qingjing Jing, the Taoist classic originating from the Tang Dynasty more than a thousand years ago. It has a special place in the history of Eastern thought, because it is the only sutra to weave Tao insights and Buddhist teachings together in a unique way. This forms a wondrous tapestry of enlightenment and creates a synergistic fusion that is far greater than the sum of its parts.Now, for the first time, Western readers can explore this ancient treasure and reap the benefits of its wisdom. What is the true meaning of existence? How do we deal with delusions and suffering in the world? How can we attain real peace of mind that lasts? All these questions and more are examined in the Qingjing Jing. Let The Tao of Tranquility reveal its answers to the greatest questions of life - and take you on the path to your spiritual awakening.

The Tao Te Ching is fundamental to the Taoist school of Chinese philosophy and strongly influenced other schools, such as Legalism and Neo-Confucianism. This ancient book is also central in Chinese religion, not only for Taoism but Chinese Buddhism, which when first introduced into China was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts. Many Chinese artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and even gardeners have used the Tao Te Ching as a source of inspiration. Its influence has also spread widely outside East Asia, aided by hundreds of translations into Western languages.