Conferences

News of the Field / 229 Conferences Chinese Daoist Salon Zhengzhou, March 22‑26, 2010 Sponsored by the Henan Xinshan Daoist Culture Company and the He‑ nan Xinshan Industrial Company under the leadership of entrepreneur Zhu Tieyu 朱鐵玉, this meeting was held in Zhengzhou, since 1954 the capital of Henan, major railway cross point, and a bustling commercial center. The location was a specially built conference center on the roof of the five‑story Phoenix City Mall, complete with log cabins, offices, meet‑ ing halls, and exercise facilities. Ninety scholars participated, from both China and overseas, includ‑ ing also a number of non‑Daoists, some of whom were visiting China for the first time. The theme was the potential role of Daoist thought in the contemporary world and ways of adaptating and reconceptualizing Dao‑ ist philosophy. The organizers—Robin Wang, Hans‑Georg Moeller, and Franklin Perkins—successfully combined the various papers into panels, presented either at the plenary session in the mornings (with simulane‑ ous translation) or at English and Chinese sessions in the afternoons. The talks focused heavily on the Zhuangzi (11), followed by about 7 each on the Laozi, later Daoist thought (Chongxuan, Quanzhen), general features of Daoist thought, and comparative perspectives (Greeks, Spinoza, Heidegger). Some also spoke on Daoism and psychotherapy, as well as on the postmodern reception of ancient Daoist thinkers. Lee Year‑ ley and Hartmut Walravens gave stimulating key note speeches. Discus‑ sions were vivid and engaged, continuing through meals and free time. A day of excursions allowed participants to visit Luoyang, Kaifeng, or Huangdi’s birthplace. —Livia Kohn 230 / Journal of Daoist Studies 4 (2011) Daoism Today: Science, Health, Ecology Loyola Marymount University, June 2‑6, 2010 The 6th International Conference on Daoist Studies was held in Los Ange‑ les in early June. About 140 people attended, mostly from the U.S., but also from Canada, Europe, South America, China, and Japan. Four par‑ ellel sessions opened in panel and workshop formats, allowing both theoretical discussion and practical learning. Livia Kohn gave the keynote speech on “A Win‑Win World:Where Science, Politics, and Daoism Meet,” finding new developments in the West that reflect Daoist ideas and practices and emphasizing the need for a more Daoist approach to life in the world today. Paul Humphreys organized a Daoist concert with the help of local musicians, and partici‑ pants enjoyed both the spectacular scenery of the LMU campus and two al‑fresco dinners in a lovely nature setting. A good time was had by all. —Robin Wang Southeast Early China Roundtable Lexington, Kentucky, November 12‑14, 2010 The 14th annual meeting of the SEECR took place at the Gaines Center for the Humanities on the campus of the University of Kentucky. The meet‑ ing was sponsored by UKY College of Arts and Sciences, Asia Center, and various academic departments. It was organized by Matthew Wells. The keynote speech, open to the public, was delivered by Donald Harper on “Finding Religion in an Ancient Chinese Occult Miscellany.” Presentation related to Daoism included Ronnie Littlejohn on “Cave Ex‑ periences of Early Daoist Masters,” Shawn Arthur on “Daoist Dietary Ingredients,” and Stephen Eskildsen on “Isolated Contemplation” in medieval Daoist practice.” Other talks included Robert Foster on “The Classic of Go (碁經);” Jeffrey Richey on “Early Chinese Roots of Shintō;” Keith Knapp on “Early Medieval Accounts of Unfilial Children;” Cynthia Chennault on “Expectations of Local Governors during the Southern Dynasties;” N. Harry Rothschild on “Normative Patriarchal Confucian Values” under News of the Field / 231 Tang Xuanzong; Jim Peterman on issues surrounding Confucius; and Hongjie Wang on the “Etymological History of Wudai shiguo.” The meeting was well attended, participants representing a wide range of disciplines, including religious studies, history, literature, phi‑ losophy, and art history. For the complete program, please see http: //faculty.berea.edu/richeyj/seecr.html. —Matthew Wells American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, Atlanta, October 30‑November 1, 2010 The Daoist Studies Group hosted two complete panels with four speak‑ ers each and shared one panel with the Chinese Relgions Group. The first panel, chaired by David Mozina with Gil Raz as respondent focused on Daoist material culture. It included presentations by David Boyd on “The Embodiment of Immortality,” Suzanne...