Research

RESEARCH

We have recently completed two research projects. First, Brill academic publishers in the Netherlands published Louis Komjathy’s study of early Quanzhen (Complete Perfection) Daoism, entitled Cultivating Perfection: Mysticism and Self-transformation in Early Quanzhen Daoism (2007).

Second, Louis Komjathy’s translation series Handbooks for Daoist Practice was published by the Yuen Yuen Institute (Yuanxuan xueyuan 圓玄學院; Hong Kong; 2008). This was previously circulated in a private printing under the imprint of Wandering Cloud Press (2003).

Our next phase of research involves a number of specific projects. Louis Komjathy continues his in-depth research on the history and development of the Quanzhen religious movement, with particular attention to religious praxis and soteriological goals. The results of this research will be published as an anthology of primary Quanzhen texts in translation. That work is tentatively titled The Way of Complete Perfection: A Quanzhen Daoist Anthology. The manuscript is currently under revision and will be submitted to potential publishers in the next month or so. In addition, Dr. Komjathy is conducting research on American Daoism and on the history of Daoist Studies. He also continues his involvement with the Shandong Daoist Studies Research Group at the Institute of Religion, Science and Social Studies (Shandong University) and the Daoist Studies Group of the American Academy of Religion.

Kate Townsend continues to research the history and contemporary application of Daoist women’s practice. This research will eventually appear as a guidebook to women's health and practice from a Daoist perspective.

The Center for Daoist Studies also hopes to raise funds to support the research and publication of other scholars of Daoism in the future.