Road to Heaven

Encounters with Chinese Hermits

By: Red Pine

Write A Review

Paperback | 29 September 2009

At a Glance

Paperback
240 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
16.4 x 23.7 x 3

Paperback

$34.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $8.69 with

or

Ships in 10 to 15 business days

A preeminent translator of Chinese poetry and Buddhist texts explores the traditions of Chinese hermits in the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution.

A fascinating slice of Chinese life for armchair travelers--with insights into the history of Taoism, Buddhism, and Zen in modern China.

In 1989, Bill Porter, having spent much of his life studying and translating Chinese religious and philosophical texts, began to wonder if the Buddhist hermit tradition still existed in China. At the time, it was believed that the Cultural Revolution had dealt a lethal blow to all religions in China, destroying countless temples and shrines, and forcibly returning thousands of monks and nuns to a lay life.

But when Porter travels to the Chungnan mountains--the historical refuge of ancient hermits--he discovers that the hermit tradition is very much alive, as dozens of monks and nuns continue to lead solitary lives in quiet contemplation of their faith deep in the mountains.

Part travelogue, part history, part sociology, and part religious study, this record of extraordinary journeys to an unknown China sheds light on a phenomenon unparalleled in the West. Porter's discovery is more than a revelation and uncovers the glimmer of hope for the future of religion in China.

Industry Reviews

"Bill Porter's Road to Heaven is a brilliant essay on the traditions of Chinese hermits, a startling reminder of how far we have gone astray. It should be a part of any serious Zen or Taoist library." --Jim Harrison

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $0.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.