Resources about Taoism and Chinese Alchemy

Excellent resources about Taoism and Chinese Alchemy as presented by Professor Fabrizio Pregadio from Stanford University. In particular, an overview into some facets of the history and doctrines of Chinese alchemy, Taoism, Taoist Canon and texts, including essays, short notes, translations, illustrations, and other materials is given. Also, there can be found a synoptic of the table of content of The Encyclopedia of Taoism whose editor is Professor Pregadi. Another book from the same autor is Great Clarity: Daoism and Alchemy in Early Medieval China, wherein the religious aspects of Chinese alchemy are studied. The Introduction and Chapter 1 are freely available on-site. If you are affiliated with Stanford University, you can read the entire book online.

We especially liked the many illustrations, as well as the following excerpt from one of the most justly celebrated texts of the Chinese tradition, The Complete Works of Chuang-tzu,  as translated by Burton Watson:

• "The fish trap exists because of the fish; once you've gotten the fish, you can forget the trap. The rabbit snare exists because of the rabbit; once you've gotten the rabbit, you can forget the snare. Words exist because of meaning; once you've gotten the meaning, you can forget the words. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so I can have a word with him?"