Asian occult practices refer to the various supernatural and mystical traditions that have originated from different parts of Asia. These practices are deeply rooted in the culture and beliefs of Asian societies and have been passed down from generation to generation. One of the most well-known Asian occult practices is Feng Shui, which originated in China. Feng Shui is the art of arranging one's surroundings in harmony with the natural world to bring positive energy and luck. It involves the placement of objects, furniture, and even whole buildings in specific ways to create a harmonious energy flow. Another popular occult practice in Asia is astrology.
According to Chinese folk religion, humans are likened to vessels. Adults are fully filled vessels, while children are half-full vessels that fill up only in adulthood. However, by dint of the date and time they are born (called the Eight Characters, or sheng chen ba zi, 生辰八字, in Mandarin), some adults never become fully filled vessels. Although they are physically adults, they remain as children spiritually. Such people are destined to live a short life but they can prolong their lifespan by agreeing to serve the gods. One way is to be a spirit-medium and become a vessel for gods who descend to the mortal realm to help the people. As spirit-mediums are only “half-filled,” they have “space” for spirits and deities to enter and take control of their bodies.
Although unnerving to look at, Toa Ah Pek Elder Uncle , who is dressed in white and has a lolling tongue, and Ji Ah Pek Second Uncle , who is dressed in black and carries chains and a magistrate s arrest order, are not demons in the usual sense of the word. Goble focuses on Amoghavajra 704 774 , contending that he was the central figure in Esoteric Buddhism s rapid rise in Tang dynasty China, and the other two patriarchs are known primarily through Amoghavajra s teachings and writings.
Another popular occult practice in Asia is astrology. In many Asian cultures, astrology holds great significance and is often consulted to make important life decisions. The Chinese zodiac is perhaps the most famous form of astrology in Asia and is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year assigned to a specific animal sign.
Chinese Esoteric Buddhism
Chinese Esoteric Buddhism is generally held to have been established as a distinct and institutionalized Buddhist school in eighth-century China by “the Three Great Masters of Kaiyuan”: Śubhākarasiṃha, Vajrabodhi, and Amoghavajra. Geoffrey C. Goble provides an innovative account of the tradition’s emergence that sheds new light on the structures and traditions that shaped its institutionalization.
Goble focuses on Amoghavajra (704–774), contending that he was the central figure in Esoteric Buddhism’s rapid rise in Tang dynasty China, and the other two “patriarchs” are known primarily through Amoghavajra’s teachings and writings. He presents the scriptural, mythological, and practical aspects of Chinese Esoteric Buddhism in the eighth century and places them in the historical contexts within which Amoghavajra operated. By telling the story of Amoghavajra’s rise to prominence and of Esoteric Buddhism’s corresponding institutionalization in China, Goble makes the case that the evolution of this tradition was predicated on Indic scriptures and practical norms rather than being the product of conscious adaptation to a Chinese cultural environment. He demonstrates that Esoteric Buddhism was employed by Chinese rulers to defeat military and political rivals. Based on close readings of a broad range of textual sources previously untapped by English-language scholarship, this book overturns many assumptions about the origins of Chinese Esoteric Buddhism.
Richly detailed study . . . this meticulous work will appeal to those interested in Chinese history in general as well as those studying Tang dynasty China, esoteric Buddhism, or Buddhism in China. S. Cohen, University of Missouri, Choice
Goble’s Chinese Esoteric Buddhism is an ambitious new look into the life of a well-known but still mysterious Esoteric Buddhist patriarch. . . this book serves as a vital contribution to the ever-evolving contemporary dialogue among scholars on how precisely Esoteric Buddhism should be understood. Joseph P. Elacqua, Journal of Buddhist Ethics
Goble's study of Amoghavajra is a classic case of how a religious tradition emerges and is, or in the case of Esoteric Buddhism in China is not, sustained over time. Therefore, historians of religion will find Goble's presentation of Amoghavajra and Chinese Esoteric Buddhism a worthwhile read. Reading Religion
By focusing on the career and legacy of Amoghavajra, one of the most significant figures in the history of East Asian Buddhism, Geoffrey C. Goble's work provides a detailed image of Esoteric Buddhism in elite Chinese society and fills a long-standing lacuna in the field of Chinese Buddhist studies. Through careful translation and close reading of a wide range of textual sources, Chinese Esoteric Buddhism advances our understanding of Esoteric Buddhism as an elite religious tradition in Tang China and also illuminates the dynamic relationship between the Chinese imperial state and religious practitioners and institutions. Goble's work provides a granular study of the historical, cultural, and personal factors that contributed to Amoghavajra's rise to influence and the formation of Esoteric Buddhism in Tang China. Chinese Esoteric Buddhism is necessary reading for all who are interested in the Tang Dynasty, East Asian Esoteric Buddhism, and early tantric Buddhism. Bernard Faure, Columbia University
Carefully attending to historical context, Goble clarifies Amoghavajra's role as propagator of Buddhist tantras in China. Demonstrating how his teachings found favor by conforming to Tang dynasty imperial religion and by promoting lethal rites, Goble then traces Amoghavajra's political and religious legacy and his function as an index for the collection and circulation of texts and discourses in subsequent Chinese Buddhist history. Charles D. Orzech, Colby College
Goble's treatment demonstrates that Amoghavajra is one of the preeminent figures in the history of Buddhism, not just in East Asia but in the entire history of Buddhism. As a Buddhist thinker and practitioner Amoghavajra stands equal to any other landmark figure. Goble's definitive study brings new clarity to the debate over the nature, practices, and institutional existence of an Esoteric Buddhism in Tang China. In fact that debate can now be considered closed. Richard K. Payne, Institute of Buddhist Studies
Amoghavajra stands out as a towering beacon in the history of Esoteric Buddhism in China, and no study on this important Buddhist tradition would be complete without referring to him and his achievements. In this new study Geoffrey C. Goble takes a critical look at Amoghavajra and his legacy, and in this process undertakes an in-depth investigation into the primary sources, in particular those which elucidate the Buddhist master's intimate relationship with the Tang court and the country's political elite during the middle and second half of the eighth century. Goble's study is therefore as much about elite religion as it is about the interface between the Buddhist religion and politics in late medieval China. A must for anyone interested in Tang history and Esoteric Buddhism. Henrik H. Sørensen, Ruhr University
Anyone with an interest in Chinese religion have much to gain from reading this. Religious Studies Review
Acknowledgments
List of Conventions and Abbreviations
Introduction
1. The Three Great Masters of Kaiyuan and the Teaching of the Five Divisions
2. Esoteric Buddhism in Context: Tang Imperial Religion
3. Esoteric Buddhism in Context: The An Lushan Rebellions and Tang War Religion
4. Amoghavajra and the Ruling Elite
5. The Institutional Establishment of Esoteric Buddhism
6. The Consolidation of Amoghavajra’s Legacy
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Known in Chinese as zhuyou 祝由, talismanic healing refers to a range of ritual techniques in which written talismans and verbal spells are used as tools to prevent or heal disease. Although it was among the earliest medical disciplines recognised by imperial medical institutions—a status it enjoyed from the sixth to sixteenth centuries 4 —printed medical literature has persistently placed talismans and spells at the edge, if not entirely out of scholarly medicine. Until very recently, scholarship in English had maintained that talismanic healing has for millennia comprised mere ‘fringe activities’ of Chinese medical traditions. 5 This teleological position, which intensified in the early twentieth century and has remained mainstream in medical histories in Chinese, also confines talismans and spells to a remote past, a time when the ‘Chinese did not understand the scientific principles of healing’. 6 Seen as the antithesis of modernity and progress, talismanic healing is particularly marginalised in the medical historiography of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, which tends to focus on the spread of Western biomedicine throughout China and the ‘invention’ of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). 7 To many, it is inconceivable that talismans and occult healing could survive, let alone thrive in the face of modern science and medicine. As the aforementioned anecdotes indicate—and to the discontentment of some—the popular press tells us a contrasting story about the place and value of occult arts in early twentieth-century China.
Divination is another widely practiced occult tradition in Asia. Techniques such as palmistry, tarot card reading, and face reading are used to gain insight into one's future or personality traits. These divination practices vary across different Asian cultures but share the common goal of providing guidance and predictions. Shamanism is also a significant part of Asian occult practices. Shamans are spiritual leaders and healers who have the ability to communicate with the spirit world and perform rituals to cure illnesses or solve problems. Shamanism is particularly prevalent in regions such as Mongolia, Siberia, and parts of Southeast Asia. In addition to these practices, Asia is home to various regional and indigenous occult traditions. For example, in Japan, there is a long-standing belief in spirits called yokai, which are believed to have supernatural powers. Similarly, tantric practices and rituals are prevalent in countries like India, Nepal, and Tibet. Overall, Asian occult practices reflect the rich cultural diversity and spiritual beliefs present in the continent. These practices are deeply ingrained in the daily lives of many individuals in Asia and continue to thrive, offering guidance, spirituality, and a connection to the supernatural world..
Reviews for "The Influence of Astrology: Asian Occult Practices and Zodiac Signs"
1. John - 2/5 rating - I was really disappointed with "Asian occult practices". I was hoping to learn about the rich and diverse occult traditions of Asia, but instead, the book generalized and simplified these practices into a mishmash of stereotypes. It lacked depth and failed to provide any meaningful insights. Overall, it seemed like the author was more interested in perpetuating exoticism than providing an accurate and thoughtful exploration of the topic.
2. Sarah - 1/5 rating - "Asian occult practices" was a total letdown for me. The book completely ignored the historical and cultural contexts of these practices, making it appear as if they were nothing more than mystical mumbo jumbo. It failed to acknowledge the deep significance and complexities of these traditions, reducing them to mere superstitions. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a genuine understanding of Asian occult practices.
3. Sam - 2/5 rating - As someone who has a genuine interest in Asian occult practices, I found this book to be shallow and superficial. It lacked depth and failed to provide any meaningful insights into these complex traditions. The author seemed more concerned with exoticizing the practices rather than exploring them from an objective standpoint. Overall, it was a disappointing read that did not live up to my expectations.
4. Emily - 1/5 rating - "Asian occult practices" was a huge disappointment. The book seemed to rely heavily on stereotypes and misconceptions about Asian cultures, perpetuating harmful tropes. It failed to delve into the rich history and diverse practices of these traditions, instead opting for a surface-level exploration that felt lazy and ill-informed. I would not recommend this book to anyone genuinely interested in understanding Asian occult practices.