Research

RESEARCH

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

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 by Three Pines Press. That work is tentatively entitled The Way of Complete Perfection: A Quanzhen Daoist Anthology. In addition, Dr. Komjathy is conducting research 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.