Daoism is one of the great philosophical and religious traditions that grew and flowered in China. This book traces the progress of Daoist thought. It examines the restoration of Daoism under China's religious freedom clause, the slow rebirth of Daoist monasticism, and the impact of tourism on the monastic tradition.

Daoism is one of the great philosophical and religious traditions that grew and flowered in China. Unlike the great Western religions, Daoism has no one God or even a founding prophet. One of its central beliefs is that each person must follow his or her own path to the Dao, or Way of Life. By being so universal and yet so personal, Daoism has exerted a significant influence on the spiritual life of many cultures both in Asia and throughout the world. "Daoism, Third Edition" traces the progress of Daoist thought, from the great "Daodejing," or The Book of the Way and Its Power by Laozi, to the contemporary "Tao of Physics" by Fritjof Capra. This revised edition also examines the restoration of Daoism under Chinas religious freedom clause, the slow rebirth of Daoist monasticism, renewed interest in Daoism in China and abroad, and the impact of tourism on the monastic tradition.