Abstract
This article deals with a Chunyang 纯阳 Daoist transmission between female healers which takes place in the “Transverse Dragon Grottoe-temple” (Henglongdong 横龙洞) situated in the vicinity of Pingxiang City 萍乡市 in western Jiangxi (near the Hunan border). The female masters of this community specialize in women’s internal alchemy (nudan 女丹). They are regionally famous for their medicine that takes care of and heals children. Based on fieldwork observation and written materials gathered between 2004 and 2014, this article follows the transmission of this therapeutic-based Daoist tradition in the course of the 20th century. Its purpose is to shed light on some intrinsic links between Daoism and healing. It also highlights the way this literary and technical practice allows the internalization of rituals, shifts in status, as well as the building of interpersonal networks between Daoist masters and officials. These relationships have been instrumental both in the transmission of Daoism during the Maoist era and also more recently in its recomposition since the 1980s.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.