History of Taoist and Buddhist Mysticism in China

In this video lecture, we are going to cover over 4,000 years of history, going through the dynasties, beginning with the Xia, Shang, and Zhou, until we reach modern China. Our coverage will span beyond 4,000 years, preceding the Xia, to talk about shamanism in the Neolithic Era.
Works cited for everything covered in this lecture are in the end notes of The Tao of Craft (North Atlantic Books, 2016).
Companion blog post: wp.me/p32or0-3NR
You are watching Video #2 in a six-part video lecture series.
Full playlist for the video series: www.tinyurl.com...
***
Taoism is a nature-based religion, philosophy, and tradition of sorcery native to China, formed around 600 B.C. One hundred years later, Buddhism enters China and a modality of it--esoteric Buddhism--is blended in with Taoist magic. This introductory lecture series will cover the ontology, theory, history, and cultural practice of sorcery at the intersection of esoteric Buddhism and Taoism.
Video 1: Introduction to Buddhist-Taoist Esotericism
Video 2: History of Taoism and Buddhism in China
Video 3: Taoist Sorcery and Its Cultural Practice
Video 4: Taoist Metaphysics
Video 5: Chinese Occultism as a Syncretic Practice
Video 6: Taoist Magic in Contemporary Times
***
All videos in this series are closed-captioned for the deaf, hard of hearing, or those whose native tongue isn't English. I've also made my best attempt at accommodating for the blind. If there is room for improvement in these regards, I'm open to friendly critique. Thank you!
***
Related Videos from My Channel
In Video 2, I make reference to a few topics I've covered in greater depth on my channel already.
What is a Book of Methods?
Among the related video links I shared for Video 1 was a flip-through of my personal Book of Methods. This one posted earlier, however, addresses what a Book of Methods or Fang Shu is within its cultural context.
• Grimoire: About My Boo...
Book Trailer for The Tao of Craft
Everything discussed in this video come from my research for The Tao of Craft and is covered in greater detail in that book. This is a book trailer I made for the book’s release.
• Taoist Magic and Chine...
Thunder Rites
This Tinkering Bell practicum gives an example of working with Zhang Daoling in Fu talisman crafting, though this practicum instructs on methods within a technique called thunder rites, or Taoist thunder magic.
• Thunder Rites (雷法): Ti...
***
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www.paypal.me/...
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[@CullyEve]

Fascinating and impressively succinct lecture! I love learning about Chinese history with this focus on esoteric traditions. The syncretism makes so much sense now, and I can’t wait to see the continuation of this series!

[@BenebellWen]

Thank you! 🥰

[@OneaeMighty]

Thank you for all this!

[@sophiaheilig7669]

Oh one of my favorite videos here! I'm a total history note, 6min in and already starting a second page on notes

[@Jooji777]

I was studying philosophical Taoism Lao tzu and zhuangzi and I was really interesting to see the origins in details on Taoism In China.I did take my time to consume so much information and create notes;p but I thing it was worth every single minute. Thank you so much for your time and effort to put some much information condensed in 25 minutes.You are a natural teacher.We are lucky to have you with us. I did my part to subscribe and like 😊.

[@mikehickey692]

You are the first Chinese magician and occultist I have ever encountered online or anywhere else. Thank you so much. I cannot say it in text with appropriate sincerity. Thank. You.

[@mikehickey692]

And I've been looking for a while ☺️

[@aquamarine18]

So interesting -- thank you for sharing. I would love to hear more about those female Taoist magicians you mention around 19:20!

[@EddieEndriss]

Yes, me also!

[@Poqigushki]

Me too, please 🙏🏻

[@varna8918]

Me too ,thank you🤗❤🤗

[@leejennifercorlewayres9193]

Communists are still trying to stomp out spirituality. Although Christianity generally condemns magic, we all need to preserve our freedom from communists who wish to squash all of our cultures. The very interesting thing is that the life of Jesus Christ obviously is indicative of him having access to very many special powers. Great lessons. 😀

[@inmeacerl]

I'm so so grateful for all of your work and content that you share with us here; it really clarifies a lot for me that I hadn't known about China's recent history as lived within my parent's youth, along with the orientalism which struck China in the 1800's--seriously, it isn't well taught or mentioned much to American students without some digging. I'm particularly grateful for you because I rarely find other young Chinese Americans speaking about Buddhism and Taoism. It's so warm and refreshing to be taught from fellow diaspora that is aware and critical of westernized interpretations of our belief systems.

[@AlexMartinez-sy1of]

This is so interesting! Your talk about the history of Taoism blending into Buddhism reminds me of Western magickal religions blending into Christianity... Like Pagan Gods or African Deities taking the guise of Catholic Saints. They had to in order to continue their practices.

[@MindofYǒng]

This video enlighten me so much with the history. My late Akung (mother side) was a practitioner of Dao, I just realize this recently. I was a kid back then, but I know Akung can make Fu, calling Shen and used his body as medium (in Hakka : Lok dung). I don't have a chance to learn it 'cause Akung (father side) was a fanatic Christian. I do "pie pie" 🙏🙏🙏 with incense behind his back, I'll be dead if he find out 🤣🤣🤣 Thanks for sharing this video, Miss Wen 🙏

[@CynnaAel]

12,000 years...I’m so excited. History is fabulously important when it comes to occultism. History informs on how and why certain magic types evolve. I’m beyond excited as it’s notes time! I love history!

[@solalatowler7966]

Quick comment...there was no religious Daoism in the Zhao dynasty....there was nothing called "Daoism" then...and I don't think shamanism could be called a religion....

[@crazypikachucrcr7529]

Sadness of the passing, (Yesterday) ,A song sung by Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson states ," (You are Not)" Morning happens Everywhere and everyday❤😮😢😅😂☺🧠🤕☯️🇨🇳🧠😎☮🐉🎆

[@stockholmsnow8620]

Hi, Benebell. Thank you so much. ❤ I'm so happy to have found you/your work. I will be buying your book. Many warm regards to you. 加油！😊

[@crazypikachucrcr7529]

Fu, states from external source of Heaven Sifu Nuxing Shaolin Master Ghost, The Biblical structure of the West and Known as Mosaic way; 🌌is Chinese ancient cultures that were formed as they unify society after the Kingdoms over Kingdom rose from Post Great Flood Era.🇨🇳☯️🦇🎆🐉

[@brandhimcneill2694]

HI Benebell, 👋 Ni- how 🙏, I absolutely Love 💘yur Chanel about tge Tao. Thankyu so much for posting. I wanna ask about these Eunuchs yu mentioned. We're these like the Eunuch of India, I mean....we're they Effeminate or Transgender Eunuchs...( hence the term Eunuch in there case)... or were these just regular gendered males, who were literally castrated?

[@davydacounsellor]

Must say well impressed by the coverages of Chinese history and religion, thanks from Ireland.

[@believer1465]

Buddhism has been part and parcel of chinese culture since atleast 2000 years.. In china buddhism got sinicised and developed as a unique combination of taoism and confucianism. .. chinese buddhism is a part of ancient han tradition and culture so i make my request to all han chinese people to preserve it.. It's your own wealth and treasure...:)

[@nachoconazodiablo1234]

Religions in general are kinda on the rise in China atm, Buddhism among them, many young people are starting to become more interested in Buddhism again. With many temples offering temple retreats for example

[@crazypikachucrcr7529]

Try mixing Martial arts with philosophy :Of how one does not offend oneself: Do not be touched , touch😂

[@Spectre2434]

Was Buddhism in Vietnam influenced by Chinese Esoteric Buddhism ?

[@LuizGuilhermeZamaro]

Thank you so much for your videos! You're so dedicated!

[@Monnalisas]

Thank so much! I'm going on vacation to the United States very soon and I hope to find your book to buy 🙏🏼✨

[@TheJayJayYoung]

Wasn’t there new historical records discovered explaining than that Qin Shi Huang was a benevolent ruler?

[@JustAnotherYou2]

All of these practices seem to have roots in communications with aliens/beings in other dimensions, and most value love and understanding above all else, it promotes human experience and trust. These beings will guide you if your following your heart and being honest with yourself, I consider them just other versions of our selves who take seriously our growth and desires.

[@narayanlaxmi4990]

The ba gua 8 trigrams energy metaphysics is like shankya yoga or vedic metaphysics in ancient india more than 10,000 yearss ago ,the yinyang is like impersonal brahman meanss the between the material world and spiritual world

[@Spectre2434]

Apparently Battle Magic was common in Tibet...

[@zeroclout6306]

My only exposure to Taoism was the Tao Te Ching and its influence on Zen Buddhism and a bit of tangential exposure to confucianism. I had no idea that Taoism was so expansive and has an entire alchemical occult tradition within it that is similar to western occultism. Thank you for so succinctly sharing this history.

[@DanielPschaida]

Excellent lectures but I believe these are mis-labeled as mysticism, shouldn't be called Magic and the Occult?

[@crazypikachucrcr7529]

QIN WON AND THAT DYNASTY HAS A LINEAGE TO IMMORTALITY FU QING, 🌌🎆🐉🇨🇳🦇☯️

[@McDevitt2000-hi6kq]

Watched the first three videos in this series last night. Loved them! Thank you again.

[@raine5508]

Thank you for your dedication. How did they beat the sorcerers in the yuan dynasty?

[@headologythewitch2591]

This was really amazing. Thank you so much for all the effort and time you put into this project--truly appreciate it and am definitely going to be watching the entire series.

[@dannychen9685]

Also in the Han Dynasty, the first Taoist Magical founder was Zhang Daoling, in which many Taoist sects and lineages traced back to him and he was heavily venerated as a deified immortal patriarch of the Taoist magick.

[@BenebellWen]

Yes he was mentioned several times in the video. 🥰

[@dannychen9685]

@@BenebellWen Lovely... and this one thing that bothers me was how come we have pre-Qin "Emperors"in the Chinese mythology before devolving back to "Kingdoms and Kingships" only to be "re-evolved" back to "Imperial, Empire, and Emperor" again in the Qin Dynasty.

[@kylin3197]

@@dannychen9685 that's an English issue. Pre-Qin "emperors", they're either 帝 or 皇 (look up 3 Sovereigns and 5 Emperors). Then after, there's only kings 王. Then comes Qin Dynasty, Qin Shihuang is the first to term it 皇帝, once again "emperor" in English And of course with China 大中華 being center of the world, all neighboring kingdoms (also tributary states) could only have kings, not emperors. Japan was edgy

[@dannychen9685]

@@kylin3197 Ah yes... thank you for the correction for the English translation dilemma.

[@toxicpick]

Excited to go through these series! As a former Chinese History major and a person figuring out how to integrate family’s Chinese folk practices with an interest in tarot, I really appreciate the work put into these videos. Thank you!

[@JohnMcCreery]

文老師， 您的視頻非常好。 請問， 您失蹤哪裡來的？

[@annaarwen4345]

Thank you Benebel 💗 I only learned a snippet of chinese history at school and it was so fascinating, wish it had been covered better. This video is so packed im going to have to rewatch.

[@Spectre2434]

What do you think of Charles Luk books

[@master_ov_light_and_dust]

you are the cutest taoist I've ever known

[@joelmosier125]

Wow! Amazing video/History! Thank you for researching and your hard work completing this video for everyone to see. Thank you so much. Xiexie.

[@top5paranormal254]

Your channel is so cool. Thank you!

[@LuizGuilhermeZamaro]

So much book burning =/

[@TamuNgina]

Thank you for this wonderful information. You continue to bless us and I am grateful. I have one of Kukai’s books on Esoteric Buddhism and you are encouraging me. Thank you

[@ravidre]

How did they rice to power. 😂😢😮😊

[@LucyMorningstarArt]

Why were the not-Han rulers all scared of Tao but practice Buddhism? And I suspect that Taiwan and HK escaped the culture revolution and preserved the knowledge?

[@theasianwitch]

Incredible videos on Chinese magic...as a first-generation Chinese American whose parents escaped the political turmoil in China, I'm grateful for this education on my culture!

[@Eezzy108]

What do you think of Falun Dafa

[@crazypikachucrcr7529]

🦇Your Beautiful as well as very Helpful . Fought police and hit in the( head) survived by Magic. But healing has become slow? Shape shifting also not apparent as a spell was cast 8-7-2008 to come to pass must take the beat down of (2012), that happened by police referred to earlier( 2012)* 8-7-2008* spell is Happening yet my all together powers are astray. 🦇

[@nvhlLinh]

Appreciate your work very much. Just a note, I think there is an error at 5:45. The Shang dynasty is from 1600-1050 NOT 6100-1050 as written in the slides and narrated, sine the Xia dynasty ended in 1600 BCE.

[@senekakurioso7867]

I've practiced cafeteria-style Buddhist meditation for the last 25 years. I read texts at night and meditate in the morning. In between I dream. I am now fascinated with your videos. Thank you.

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you for another interesting and informative video. Before I got my degree in fine arts I was a history major, specializing in the medieval era, so I just eat up any historical information. I’m a bit of a nerd that way. Thank you for teaching me a little bit of Chinese Taoist history.

[@pup4301]

Taoist make their own frame work of magic and the peoples go burn all their hard work. If we could identify the anomalies they found, we could analysis the properties of them and develop hypothesis and experiments for such occurrences. We could have even used the anomalies in ways the Peoples Republic of China could never have though of.

[@SavageMinnow]

OMG I JUST DISCOVERED YOUR CHANNEL BECAUSE OF UR VID ABOUT BLACK LIVES MATTER AND I LOVE IT, AND I LOVE YOU, AND I LOVE THAT YOU ACTUALLY CAPTION YOUR VIDEOS BECAUSE IM HARD OF HEARING SO MOST VIDEOS A OUT TAOIST HISTORY ARE INAUDIBLE TO ME! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Poqigushki]

It’s impressive, how much you know about your own history! I will check out your other videos, but it’s seems like I do found out something really valuable here 👍 thank you

[@Spectre2434]

Or Kumar Frantzis?

[@Spectre2434]

Tibet had battle magic

[@keltoi2000]

Very informative and enjoyable! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm.

[@WitchyRichie]

12,000 years in 25 minutes...*buckles seatbelt* let’s go. Lol

[@taca.dakini]

I am going to buy your book on I Ching; your free work sheets for I Ching are exceptional ! Thank you for explaining such a complex philosophy in a simple way. That is only possible if the one masters it, and you did it ! Namaste ❤

[@katiakinuemassuda-chongkun9414]

Thank you for share such knowledge, I appreciate ! Please I like know more about Kunlun- Taoist

[@crazypikachucrcr7529]

Eva Wong is the author of the book of Taoism Am reading also Jolan Wong ,"Tao of Making Love"!🦇☯️

[@robvan86]

Hey Benebell! I love your openness to sharing this information for everyone, it's truly amazing and I believe it's so necessary right now in this 21st Century revolution of technology; Especially the massive shift we see in the popular culture becoming more and more interested in both the Inner and Outer methods of transformation on individual and global scales.. It's a truly fascinating time to be alive isn't it!? I'll be watching all the videos in this series but before I forget I would like to ask a question and please forgive me if it's covered in a later video.. I have seen the famous Taoist painting which is an allegory for inner-dynamics: I believe it is similar to the waterwheel exercise however much more detailed and comprehensive as a visual metaphor for Taoist enlightment.. It begins with bulls plowing a field at the bottom and travels up (like energy in the spine) to the next step which is spinning silk (if I am not mistaken) and continues all the way up to something like vast openness at the top.. Do you know what painting I'm referring to, what it's all about, and how I can find more info about that?! I would be so grateful for any info you can point towards to help on this path to inner peace and harmony with others, especially with all the things that need to be purged and restored to bring the mind and body back into balance, it can be crazy sometimes! But that's another story for another time, lol.. I hope this finds you well and best of luck with all your endeavors on this channel and beyond!!! Love and Peace Rob :-)

[@andrewc.2952]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'm not seeking to practice these things but I am studying East Asian culture. It would be ignorantly backwards to know acknowledge how deep these roots run through all of Asian culture.

[@tribalwoman138]

Wow I was taking notes like crazy..very interesting. I remember a lot of this from school but it's in the archived part of my brain. Thank you

[@BenebellWen]

Oh I'm so happy to hear this interested you!

[@tribalwoman138]

@@BenebellWen No it's not boring to me at all, first of all I love listening to lectures, second I love anything about China, so I'm all in with this series. thank you for making it.

[@rose-marie7351]

Very interesting! I can't wait to watch the other videos! :) (I have your book the Tao of Craft and this helps.) What intrigues me is the position of Women in this history ...of magic and witchcraft... i notice looking at the image you have shown that women looked very submissive. So it seams very much man dominant and hence a masculine view of magic (control, logic, categorizing everything, in the head...) perhaps?? So perhaps it was said backward ALSO because it was patriarchal ? I say that on what I notice on the pics you found, only in the modern era do we see women in an active role...

[@WildWizard8]

Wow this video is amazing, informative and awe inspiring. It’s very easy to follow the information and the way you teach really keeps you interested. It’s just the video series I wanted as being in the UK tying to find chinese history and magic is hard. Thankyou so much

[@Marco-rf1qn]

hi Benebell, would you recommend any specific books for those who are wanting to gain a deeper knowledge on this subject?

[@monyfrank]

Thanks for sharing this historical religions in China. I love to learn Chinese religions because I really want to know the roots of Taoism and Buddhism in China. Please let me know the founder of Taoism and founder of Taoism magic. Thanks

[@muhammadofthailand]

Somebody did this all within and without USA knowledge like I was explaining Pennsylvania at BK last night.

[@allancoote1221]

Really fascinating stuff; do you have a book recommendation for where to start reading on this, preferably something scholarly?

[@spectralmelodies5979]

Theres definitely a lesson about being reflexively against any form of religion or belief system when revolutionizing your entire country.

[@crazypikachucrcr7529]

All I can say is Christ said follow me and do not write about me. So the next thing you know a uyger or some other guy a anti-christ is writing what we now call a canon of scripture Gospel.

[@agc796]

That's because buddhism has different tastes in different regions of the world , it became adaptable for its convenience, if not it would not have flourished in many parts of the world, like in tibet with the bon po traditions, or in thailand where they still have many pre buddhist traditions integrated into buddhism, so it shouldn't be surpising that it happend in China as well, even in europe, christianity made many pagan gods into christian saints, for its own adaptability. The dao in its philosophical age is amazing to me Lao tze and Zhuang ze are one of my favorite philosophers of all time.

[@kylin3197]

Awesome video! enjoyed it very much, wish you didn't skim thru towards 2nd half haha

[@matane2465]

Yeah, I'm interested in this type of history from reading Journey to the West and wondering where all the fantastical stuff in that story came from.

[@walterdelong6324]

Thank you for all your work, it is wonderful to see such a beautiful and smart Asian female occultist! This series is amazing.

[@Teonod]

I came to Chinese magic from the angle of history, Chinese history being my main interes. So I'm glad there's an area where I'm already at least a little knowledgeable with the subject, unlike most of the time where everything I read or hear is an eye-opening revelation!

[@mute9993]

Thank you

[@Sam-ch4jh]

Thank you Could you please suggest some good resource to understand 8 trigram , 8 gates etc in Taichi

[@muhammadofthailand]

Bake a terrorist weekend sale: A DIY PROJECT.

[@master_ov_light_and_dust]

thank you!

[@JW-mv8pu]

the start year for the Shang dynasty was wrong: it should be 1600 BC, not 6100 BC

[@BramVaschellie]

I find this very fascinating. I'm planning on getting a physical copy of the Tao of Craft soon and rereading it more closely, so I'm happy you're putting this series out. Thank you!

[@BrotherCecil]

We should call you Professor Benebell! Thanks for sharing.😊

[@adamkhan1687]

This video is simply incredible. Need to rewatch with my notebook and pen in hand.

[@suzannericker4847]

I bet I WILL believe the similarities!!! I love stuff like this. Thank you Benebell!

[@stockholmsnow8620]

Thanks!

[@CireNosille]

Love it!

[@abignothing]

history can suck ass to study but *occult* history will have a special place in my heart ♥️♥️

[@davidivanyi1276]

Thank you very much. this is one of the most authentic deep dives into origins of Taoism in youtube :)

[@mark4362]

I am really enjoying this beautiful work.

[@muhammadofthailand]

No warlocks in department of USA?

[@suel3541]

Thank you Bell! Great video! Loved it and looking forward to other videos in this series.

[@vainexir]

I'm Hmong and alot of the Shamanic rituals you say we still do

[@dogfacedponysoldier1692]

Thank you very much for sharing Benebell

[@mandys1505]

Yes, please post more on the hand mudras! 😃🙏🔥👌😳

[@EddieEndriss]

Wholeness SisStar BB. Another amazing video! I cringed when you mentioned speeding up, but felt relief when I heard the topic of the next video in this series. So much great information and on point as always. Your comprehension and expression on the topic is therapudic, thank you for making these. Also, I was in a book store the other day and saw your works! Congratulations!!!

[@BenebellWen]

Haha I was getting bored of hearing my own voice talk Chinese history, so I could only assume the unfortunate chap watching the video would also be bored. ^_^* But thank you!

[@michelletalevski9086]

These videos are fireeee 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 legend!!!

[@GigiMarquis]

You have once again added to my "to-read" book list!

[@witchontheway5885]

Fantastic video! Thank you :)

[@muhammadofthailand]

Battle magic 215-CJC-2005

[@PriestessAusetRaAmen]

Fascinating.