Seven Taoist Masters : A Folk Novel of China

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Primer of 'Singular Path' Northern Taoism.
Review: A training manual written in the form of a story, the book: 'SEVEN TAOIST MASTERS: A Folk Novel of China' (c. 1990) translated by Eva Wong, introduced the reader to a blend of myth and history to both entertain and teach, in the form of lectures, the Taoist philosophy of Wang Ch'ung-yang and Ch'iu Ch'ang-ch'un. History had recorded that the disciple "Ch'iu Ch'ang-ch'un was befriended by Kublai Khan and was appointed court high priest during the reign of the first Yu'an Emporer" (p.xvii). And Wang Ch'ung-yang lived during the Sung (1127-1279) and Yu'an (1271-1368) dynasties.

Wang Ch'ang-yang (the rebirth of yang, or the rejuvenation of mind & body) was regarded as one of the greatest patriarchs of the school of True Reality (or the school of Complete Reality) and his students, the seven Taoist masters, were of the Northern School of Taoism, that branch of Taoism which advocates the 'singular path', where enlightenment and immortality are achieved through meditation and chi-kung exercises, it is the closest to Buddhism and Ch'an meditation of the Taoist sects. Ch'iu Ch'ang-ch'un, one of the seven masters, founded the Lung-men (Dragon Gate)sect of Taoism.

SEVEN TAOIST MASTERS presentd a mix of myth and history in the most appealing way to the reader conforming to the Taoist pedagogy of story telling to instruct as more accessible in an intuitive reading than as analytic reading of a text. The main character, Wang Ch'ung-yang, was approached by two immortals, Lu and Chung-li Ch'uan, dressed as beggars, who had to convert mortals into Taoist immortals before the flowering of the immortal peach so that the Empress of Heaven wouldn't have to eat it alone. While Buddhism emphasizes reincarnation, Taoism strives for immortality, by means of internal alchemy, the actual transformation of body & soul through various Taoist efforts and personal sacrifices of the apprentice.

So in the SEVEN TAOIST MASTERS, the experiences of Wang Ch'ung-yang are used as a vehicle to describe the attitudes and situations for Taoist training and the obstacles usually encountered on the road to enlightenment. The seven Taoist masters each represent seven different approaches to the Tao, and each master must negotiate an obstacle in their own way on the path to enlightenment. In this particular theology of Taoism is the belief that destiny can be changed by the actions of people, reward and retribution will be given according to one's behaviour.

The book, SEVEN TAOIST MASTERS, contained a number of typographical and grammatical errors, such as "propserous" (p. 89), and "emerge" for merge throughout the work, and a number of ancient Chinese woodblock illustrations; yet overall, this is an excellent introduction to the Northern School of Taoism using a primer originally written for the training of Taoists priests. Also, please read TAOIST MASTER CHUANG (c. 2000) by Michael R. Saso, to gain further insight into the life and training of a Taoist disciple.

Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Novel
Review: Seven Taoist Masters is a fascinating and enjoyable story of the spiritual journey taken by seven disciples of the Taoist Master, Wang Ch'ung-Yang. The story illustrates how each disciple needed to overcome different difficulties in order to attain enlightenment. While some may see these as simple stories, I see them as delightful and informative parables to the obstacles we all face on the path to enlightenment. Each character had a particular obstacle to overcome. Through experience and advice, they learned how to overcome their individual obstacles and achieve the goal of enlightenment. By identifying with the characters one can see within themselves obstacles and create methods to overcome them. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Eastern philosophy of spiritual development.

This book would also be of help to some students of Chinese history. Set in the Southern Sung (1127-1279 A.D.) and Yuan (1279-1368 A.D.) dynasties, this book draws on the structure as well as the nature of Chinese culture and society during those dynasties as it illustrates the story.

Rating:
Summary: a nice story
Review: the blend of legend, history, and philosophy makes seven taoist masters a sort of folk comic book that can be enjoyed on many levels. it's not the end-all-be-all book of taoism, but it's a nice story for your library.

Rating:
Summary: this was a lot of fun!
Review: This book givers credence to the Toaist practice of painless teaching through storytelling. It was a joy to read and the depth of the stories became clear once the reading was completed. If you are looking for an entertaining read with a little Toaist history, this book fills the bill quite nicely.

Rating:
Summary: excellent insight
Review: This book offers an excellent insight into Taoist philosophy. In a series of tales about the seven taoist masters, it shows how each of these 6 men and one woman have attained enlightenment, and the snares that they had to pass to reach it. From these tales we can come to understand Taoist philosophy, and contrast it with Buddhist philosophy (in the interactions between Buddhist and Taoist masters). The stories are interesting, and full of meaning on many levels. This book is a much better beginning point to understand Taoism than the Tao of Pooh.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for starters
Review: This is an easy read book on fairly complex matters. That is perhaps the most appealing thing about it. One can enjoy the stories, and learn the basic principles behind Taoism.

However, the depth could have been a bit more - but maybe then it wouldnt be an easy read. One of the stories might even suggest wrong ideas.. that of Sun Pu Erh disfiguring her face so that she could go on her spiritual quest - is indicative of her initial ignorance but there is almost a sort of glorification of this act.

However, the stories are rather good and entertaining. And the English is very good.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful and Fascinating Novel
Review: Written by an unknown author, Seven Taoist Masters is the story of six men and one woman who overcome tremendous hardships on the journey to self-mastery. These characters and their teacher, Want Ch'ung-yang , are all historical figures who lived in the Southern Sung and Yuan dynasties.

The novel brings to life the essentials of Taoist philosophy and practice, both through the instruction offered by Wang - on topics such as cultivation of mind and body, meditation techniques, and overcoming the four obstacles of anger, greed, lust, and drunkenness - and through the experience of characters.

While all road eventually lead to the experience of the Tao, each individual's path is unique, as is the adventure of each master in this book.

Rating:
Summary: Stands the test of time
Review: Written sometime in the 13th century, this novel/parable gives us a great overview of what it takes to attain the Tao. We live through the sacrifices and pitfalls that eight immortals make on their path to enlightenment. Eva Wong's work in translating this classic has to be highly commended. She takes very difficult and obtuse concepts and smoothly translates them in a manner that conveys the intention of the original author. To do so, she demonstrates her own attainment and mastery. Well done.