A World of Their Own: Daoist Monks and Their Community in Contemporary China

Joining the life of a small Daoist community temple, the author examines its structure, inhabitants, surrounding community, and gods. She outlines the individual's choices, training, and path, then discusses the greater Daoist community in terms of pseudo-kinship structures and gender issues. The book is full of amazing detail and reliable, on-the-ground information: a must for anyone interested in the true face of religiosity and spiritual practice in China today.