Daoist Liturgy of the Most High for Daily Recitation

The Daoist Liturgy of the Most High for Daily Recitation (Taishang xuanmen gongke jing) is performed in Daoist temples every morning and evening. The ritual aims at a perfected state for self-cultivation and serves as a religious prayer for universal salvation from sufferings and calamities in the world. The liturgical performance includes the recitation of texts from a broad spectrum of Daoist traditions, including scriptures, chants, divine proclamations, litany of repentance, incantations, and hymns, which offers major insights into the living Daoist beliefs and ritual traditions in contemporary Chinese communities. This complete, meticulous English translation, based primarily on an extant Chinese edition from 1906, is presented in a bilingual format with the original Chinese text, accompanied by annotations, and a well-researched introduction that situates the liturgical text in its historical context and examines how the spiritual practices and ritual performances are described. Together, they provide the religious, textual, and historical depth for readers to understand the rich and indigenous religion of Daoism in China, highly recommended for anyone interested in Chinese culture and religion, and in inter-religious dialogues. Read more