The Wandering Taoist [Paperback]

Deng Ming-Dao (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Harpercollins (October 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062502263
• ISBN-13: 978-0062502261
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #658,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are looking for this title..., January 23, 2001

By 

"graytiger13" (chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wandering Taoist (Paperback)

it is out of print but you will find it and the second and third books combined in; The Chronicles of Tao : The Secret Life of a Taoist Master

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gods have a test for us to take..., November 29, 2004

By 

OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The wandering Taoist (Hardcover)

I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly this text flows, but then perhaps I should have expected this from a work so full of the true essence of the Tao. Primarily, this is the story of the education of a Taoist adept and renunciate from willful child to a master who is fully in harmony with heaven and earth. Secondarily, it is a glimpse into the intact monastic community of the Haushan mountains- before its dissolution in the post-Imperial chaos of the 20th century.

There is more than a little Taoist wisdom interwoven into the story. Indeed, it is a fine teaching aid. You get a sense of the careful guiding and molding of young Kwan Saihung by the Grand Master. Basic Taoist ethics, meditation, internal alchemy, healing, martial arts, divination, astral travel- are all touched upon. You get a sense of both the mundane and tedious groundwork of monastic life, as well as, the ego-shattering elements of crisis and initiation.

The advice concerning the purging of one's ming huan (karma) is especially refreshing in today's world. You came into this world with problems and dilemmas to be met and mastered. You are to burn away all your attachments and worldly goals, purge desire, and satisfy the thirst for knowledge (the exact opposite of the teachings of modern materialism.) You never refuse experience, and you overcome all obstacles that such experience presents. In this way you can leave this word fulfilled and pass to a higher plane.

Saihung's anger at the Japanese invasion of the 30's- and his decision to leave the order and fight as a "wandering Taoist"- is more than a little appropriate in today's world. After years of soul-numbing combat he returned to the monastery. He had come to realize the ultimate corruption of the outer world and the meaninglessness of war. He came to realize that humanity had to work out their own destiny- including war- and that no Taoist (or even the Jade Emperor) could do it for them.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful look at Taoist life!, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The wandering Taoist (Hardcover)

This book is the powerful and dramatic, true life story of an ascetic Taoist monk that gives tremendous insight into what monastic life must have been like, as well as surviving the turbulent years of China's internal and external conflicts. Kwan Saihung's own struggle as to his path in life is analogous to the very philosophy of opposing energies studied by the Taoists. Upon meeting this humble master personally, I have found that truth is truly stranger than fiction and was convinced of his authenticity due to his superior physical and mental ability despite his advanced years. This book and the two others in the trilogy have inspired me to delve deeper into the Taoist philosophy as well as Taoist martial arts. I highly recommend these and other books by the author Deng Ming-Dao.