Shenxiao Taoism: Pantheon and Cosmology
by Diana Lavarini

Shenxiao (Divine Empyrean) is a XII century sect centered on Thunder Rites. The following study presents its deities and cosmological principles, taken as a basis for the understanding of the historical position and the ritual heritage of the school.
This study was written between 1998 and 1999 as a B.A. dissertation and as such doesn't claim to have much scholarly significance. Nonetheless, it did not mean to be a mere compilation of previous studies either: the main source of this work is to be found in two liturgical scriptures (TT15 and TT1219) that the author managed to analyze and interpret to an absolutely preliminary extent.

Click here to download the dissertation (Adobe Acrobat .pdf document - 515 Kb).

Please note that this document is now available only in Italian.

Introduction

1. Shenxiao Taoism
1.1 Historical background
1.2. The main concepts and the heritage of previous traditions
1.3. Scriptures

2. Deities and supernatural worlds
2.1. Shenxiao cosmology: an introduction
2.1.1. The heavens
2.1.2. The cosmic eras
2.2. From the Primordial Origin to the True Sovereign: the highest deities
2.2.1. The Heavenly Sovereign of Primordial Origin and his eight sons
2.2.2. The supreme Thunder authorities
2.2.3. The True Sovereign of Jade Purity
2.3. Divine bureaucrats
2.3.1. The Jade Prefecture
2.3.2. Administering Thunder
2.3.3. The divine hierarchy
2.3.4. Taoist armies

Conclusion

References

 

Home Guides Tools Books News Weather About us

Sinophilia was born in 1998 as a meeting-point for China-lovers. In these years we have managed to build a database of essential information on the Chinese culture, adding here and there a few more specific essays on Chinese art, history, language and religions, and some useful tools.

Feel free to send us your comments and contributions!