Mysticism and kingship in China
Subtitle: the heart of Chinese wisdom
By: Julia Ching.
Series: Cambridge studies in religious traditions ;; 11
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Cambridge, U.K; New York, NY, USA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 302
Subjects: Kings and rulers -- Religious aspects.; Philosophy, Confucian.; China -- Politics and government.; China -- Kings and rulers.
Description: "In this book, Julia Ching offers a magisterial survey of over four thousand years of Chinese civilisation through an examination of the relationship between kingship and mysticism. She investigates the sage-king myth and ideal, and analyses the various skills that have been required as qualifications of leadership. She argues that institutions of kingship were bound up with cultivation of trance states and communication with spirits. Over time, these associations were retained, though sidelined, as the sage-king myth became a model for the actual ruler, with a messianic appeal for the ruled. As a paradigm, it also became appropriated by private individuals who strove for wisdom without becoming kings. As the Confucian tradition interacted with the Taoist and the Buddhist, the religious character of spiritual and mystical cultivation became more pronounced. But the sage-king idea continued, promoting expectation of benevolent despotism rather than democratisation in Chinese civilisation."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 278-293) and index.