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Communicating with the Gods : Spirit-Writing in Chinese History / Spirit-Writing in Chinese History edited by Matthias Schumann and Elena Valussi. - 1 online resource (570 pages) : illustrations. - Prognostication in History ; 11 . - Prognostication in History ; 11. .

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Few religious innovations have shaped Chinese history like the emergence of spirit-writing during the Song dynasty. From a divinatory technique it evolved into a complex ritual practice used to transmit messages and revelations from the Gods. This resulted in the production of countless religious scriptures that now form an essential corpus, widely venerated and recited to this day, that is still largely untapped by research. Using historical and ethnographic approaches, this volume for the first time offers a comprehensive overview of the history of spirit-writing, examining its evolution over a millennium, the practices and technologies used, and the communities involved.


English

ISBN: 9789004677906

Standard No.: 10.1163/9789004677906 DOI

Subjects--Topical Terms:
Religion--Methodology.
Religion--Study and teaching.
Religious education.

LC Class. No.: BL41

Dewey Class. No.: 200.7