The Daozang - Taoism's official canon of texts and liturgies - has known several different versions, as it has been compiled and re-compiled throughout the long history of Taoism. The texts in the Daozang include not only philosophical treatises and liturgies, but also works dealing with medicine, divination and alchemy, as well as records of the history and organization of Taoist practice.
The Taoist Canon: An Historical Companion To The Daozang by Kristofer Schipper and Franciscus Verellen, published in 2005 by the University of Chicago Press, is a long-awaited cataloging of this core body of Taoist literature. From the publisher's description:
"This new work sets out the contents of the Daozang chronologically, allowing the reader to follow the long evolution of Taoist literature. Lavishly illustrated, the first volume ranges from antiquity through the Middle Ages, while the second spans the modern period. Within this frame, texts are grouped by theme and subject. Each one is the subject of a historical abstract that identifies the text's contents, date of origin, and author. Throughout the first two volumes, introductions outline the evolution of Taoism and its spiritual heritage. A third volume offering biographical sketches of frequently mentioned Taoists, multiple indexes, and an extensive bibliography provides critical tools for navigating this guide to one of the fundamental aspects of Chinese culture."
If you're a serious scholar of Taoism, or simply curious to trace the history of this spiritual path, through its various texts and liturgies, this new compilation of the Daozang promises to delight and inspire -- and will be a most excellent addition to your library.
