Description

This is the first comprehensive anthology of the Chinese sexology classics, the world’s oldest and most advanced tradition of sexual yoga. While remaining accessible to the general reader, the translation of these texts, most never before translated in toto and some only recently unearthed in China, sets new standards of accuracy and scholarly felicity.”This is a comprehensive anthology and beautiful translation of over two millenia of Chinese treatises on the use and practice of sexual intercourse. The author has done a magnificent job of collecting materials. Because many of the texts have a quasi-legendary status, they must be reconstructed from citations in later authors. Furthermore, there have been a raft of Chinese sexologists in the last century who have scurrilously misquoted, abstracted, combined, and otherwise made a mishmash of materials. Wile has superbly sorted these things out to provide clear texts that make sense, and he has recorded the reasons for his decisions in notes.”The long introduction is the most beautifully written ‘review of sources’ I have ever read. The writer’s humor as well as easy erudition help. Not only does he explain the background of the texts, he analyzes their continuities, and divergences, and applies a thoroughly historical understanding to the development of Chinese sexology. This introduction alone establishes Wile as a major voice in religious studies. Sexology is a branch of religious studies when it is treated as the Taoists do as a means to immortality and perfected relations with the cosmos.” — Robert C. Neville, Boston University”I am very impressed with the author’s scholarship and expertise as well as with his deep and true insights into the nature of Chinese culture. Far too long has Taoism been considered a bullwark of feminism in ancient China, an idea which proves erroneous as soon as one takes the trouble to really look at the texts. This book is fascinating and absolutely wonderful to read.” — Livia Kohn, Boston University Douglas Wile is Associate Professor of Chinese Language and Literature at Brooklyn College.Table of ContentsPART ONE: INTRODUCTIONI. Motive and FocusII. The Ethos of Chinese Sexual PracticesThe Empirical GroundThe metaphysical GroundThe Individual and the Imperial IdealsThe Battle of the SexesThe Cult of YouthSexual Practices and EthicsThe Sexology Classics as LiteratureIII. Sexual Practices and MedicineIV. Sexual Practices and TaoismThe Position of Sexual Practices in TaoismThe Vocabulary of Sexual YogaSexual Practices and MeditationV. Thematic ProgressionsThe Pleasure PrincipleThe Position of WomenEjaculation Frequency and ControlSexual EnergyVI. The Development of Chinese SexologyChinese StudiesWestern StudiesVII. ConclusionPART TWO: THE CHINESE SEXUAL YOGA CLASSICSVIII. The Han Classics RediscoveredIntroduction”Uniting Yin and Yang””Discourse on the Highest Tao under Heaven”IX. The Sui-T’ang Classics ReconstructedIntroductionThe Classic of Su NuPrescriptions of Su NuEssentials of the Jade ChamberSecrets of the Jade ChamberTung Hsuan tzuX. Medical Manuals and Handbooks for HouseholdersIntroduction”Health Benefits of the Bedchamber””The Dangers and Benefits of Intercourse with Women”The Wondrous Discourse of Su NuTrue Classic of Perfect UnionExposition of Cultivating the True EssenceXI. The Elixir Literature of Sexual AlchemyIntroductionSeeking Instruction on the Golden ElixirTure Transmission of the Golden ElixirSummary of the Golden ElixirSecret Principles of Gathering the True Essence”The Rootless Tree”XII. Women’s PracticesIntroductionQueen Mother of the West’s Ten PerceptsEssentials of the Golden Elixir Method for WomenMaster Li Ni-wan’s Precious Raft for Women’s Dual PracticeCorrect Methods for Women’s PracticeNotesBibliographyAppendix: Dates of the DynastiesIndex