Mysticism and Kingship in China: The Heart of Chinese Wisdom (Cambridge Studies in Religious Traditions, Series Number 11)

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, arguing 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 expectations of benevolent despotism rather than democratisation in Chinese civilisation. 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. 1. Son Of Heaven: Shamanic Kingship -- 2. Son Of Heaven: Kingship As Cosmic Paradigm -- 3. The Moral Teacher As Sage: Philosophy Appropriates The Paradigm -- 4. The Metaphysician As Sage: Philosophy Again Appropriates The Paradigm -- 5. The Paradigm Enshrined: The Authority Of Classics -- 6. The Mystic As Sage: Religion Appropriates The Paradigm -- 7. The Sage-king As Messiah: Religion Again Appropriates The Paradigm -- 8. All Under Heaven: Political Power And The Periphery -- A Glossary Of Sino-japanese Names And Terms. Julia Ching. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 278-293) And Index.

In this book, Julia Ching offers a survey of over 4,000 years of Chinese civilization through an examination of the relationship between kingship and mysticism. She investigates the sage-king myth and ideal, arguing that institutions of kingship were bound up with cultivation of trance states and communication with spirits. Over time, the sage-king myth became a model for the actual ruler. As a paradigm, it was also 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 expectations of benevolent despotism rather than democratization in Chinese civilization.

Here we look at over 4,000 years of Chinese civilization through the lens of the relationship between kingship and mysticism. Author Julia Ching suggests that institutions of kingship were bound up with the cultivation of trance states and communication of spirits. Over time, the sage-king myth became a model for the actual ruler.