Confucianism & Taoism Book

This is an interesting subject for me, largely because there is such a divide of language, and culture to make understanding difficult, especially with the nation of China being, relatively, closed. As the introduction explains, both the West, and China have historically considered themselves unique, and the center of the world.

I have scant knowledge of Taoism--enough to know that I know very little about its millennia of history, and plethora of forms that have bloomed, and died through those centuries. Some of them characterized by mediumship, and magical basis, while some focused in a messianic, proselytizing mode as their form is the true, and only form of belief that is right.

The work begins with earliest known form of belief in China. There is scant information, yet, scholarship, and research are growing to find the roots of Chinese belief systems. Which leads into discussion of the very meaning, and nature of the term "religion" that has such a rigid definition in the West-- that does not suit the East. I deeply believe that it needs to be examined more closely particularly in regard to many new movements growing, and developing that sit outside the standard concepts of religion. The ruler was the one that propitiated Heaven by the right rituals, and that would lead to favor, or displeasure, of Heaven. Ghosts and spirits were an element of belief.
Later, an aspect of proper behavior, thus in one's own hands, to receive favor, or displeasure.

The audio is cleanly divided into equal portions for each system. The Taoist section does a wonderful service by discussing the many regional forms through time, especially the fact that there are thousands more scriptures than Westerners are even aware exist. While discussing the influence Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism had upon each other, I am surprised that, in the case of Taoism, Manicheaism wasn't mentioned for its great influence, particularly the messianic forms. There is constant comparison to Catholicism because of similarity in form with confession, regulated ritual, a reverence for many Powers such as Celestials, Immortals, and deified heroes, to name a few points.