Daoistische Sukzession und ihre Legitimierung durch Ordination (original) (raw)

Daoism (aka Taoism), the indigenous Chinese religion, provides an interesting example of lineage succession and legitimation of religious status by means of ordination. Relying on much older ritual elements, succession is rea lized by a series of ritual steps. First, the master selects a suitable candidate among his disciples using tests that assess the moral qualities of his possible successor. Then both master and disciple swear an oath which binds both parties to the agreed obligations. The master transmits his religious texts together with their secret oral explanations to his successor. The disciple, in turn, bestows gifts upon his master. The most elaborate form of the ordination ritual which is to be found in the so-called lingbao tradition is discussed in detail.