Early Chinese ideas about the construction of an ordered human space received narrative form in a set of stories dealing with the rescue of the world and its inhabitants from a universal flood. This book demonstrates how early Chinese stories of the re-creation of the world from a watery chaos provided principles underlying such fundamental units as the state; lineage; the married couple; and even the human body. These myths also supplied a charter for the major political and social institutions of Warring States (481-221 BC) and early imperial (220 BC-AD 220) China. In some versions of the tales; the flood was triggered by rebellion; while other versions linked the taming of the flood with the creation of the institution of a lineage; and still others linked the taming to the process in which the divided principles of the masculine and the feminine were joined in the married couple to produce an ordered household. While availing themselves of earlier stories and of central religious rituals of the period; these myths transformed earlier divinities or animal spirits into rulers or ministers and provided both etiologies and legitimation for the emerging political and social institutions that culminated in the creation of a unitary empire.
#1919412 in Books 1992-02-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.34 x .67 x 5.28l; #File Name: 0791407209294 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Very EnlighteningBy Daniel L. SweetIn his excellent work "The Kabbalistic Mirror Of Genesis"; David Chaim Smith often refers to a work entitled "The Fountain Of Wisdom" as one of the primary source works that inspired him in writing "Kabbalistic Mirror". As I studied it his reasons became most clear."Fountain Of Wisdom" is one of the oldest Kabbalistic documents extant; included along with the "Books Of Contemplation"; this work's title. This book is an excellent study/source work for all things Kabbalistic; especially "Kabbalistic Mirror". Mr. Verman does a first-rate job of gathering translations and tracing the historical origins of the material in question. What struck me is how this demonstrates the the depths and universal truths expounded in Kabbalah from the very earliest history of the venerable tradition. I recommend it to help in understanding the wonders hidden there. The entire book is a must-have in digging up all of the great light hidden there. It is a great buy and VERY enlightening. A great companion to "Kabbalistic Mirror". Read it and SEE!1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Dr. David Shlukergreat0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Hebrew texts provided/English translations missingBy Pawn ServantFrom The Chief Magician of Mystery Babylon:"He gives this book 3 stars because of certain shortcomings...True Initiates and Adepts into the Qabbalah never care for so called scholars on Qabbalah as they are not Initiates nor Adepts; their only utility being textual criticism and analysis.first its pro's; it provides critical texts of a number of esoteric hebrew booksthe cons:1. The english translations of the texts it provides is 7/10.2. Book of Unity is not provided nor the full response of Hai Gaon!!!3. No english translations to hebrew texts in appendix!
