Transformations in Daoist Ritual Texts and Other Daoist Literature Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties—2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

This is the second volume of the Special Issue “Transformations in Daoist Ritual Texts and Other Daoist Literature Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties”. The first volume, already published, centered on Daoist texts and featured contributions on a range of topics, including the following: Daoism in the popular fiction of the Ming and Qing periods; Maoshan Daoism, beliefs, and scriptures in the late Qing and Republican eras; Daoist inner alchemy writings; ritual texts for liandu (“salvation through refinement”); and Daoist doctrine, cosmology, and rituals as reflected in religious symbolism. Given the positive and enthusiastic response to the first volume, we are now pleased to open submissions for a second edition.

While significant scholarship on Daoism in the society of the Ming and Qing dynasties has rapidly developed over the past few decades, this period—spanning the final centuries of the imperial era—is characterized by such a diverse and complex religious development that there is still much space for new studies on the deepening presence of Daoism in local society, and on the lasting influence of its religious and social influence, which reverberates up to the present day. Daoist texts played a central role in these developments during the last two dynasties: they transmitted doctrines and techniques, defined local lineages, linked earlier to later traditions, and served as vital records of Daoist history, figures, and culture.

Accordingly, this second volume will once again make Daoist texts its focal point. We welcome contributions that advance the study of Daoism and society since the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as interdisciplinary research related to Daoism, literature, history, and historical figures. We encourage authors to situate religious texts and the activities of key individuals within their broader social and religious contexts, and to engage critically with previous scholarship.

Therefore, we cordially invite you to contribute an academic paper to this Special Issue.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, you first send a proposed title and a 200–300-word abstract summarizing your intended contribution to the Guest Editors Dr. Jing Li (lijing@cityu.edu.mo), Dr. Bony Schachter (bonyschachter@outlook.com), and Dr. Jacopo Scarin (jacopo.scarin@unive.it), or to the Assistant Editor of Religions, Ms. Margaret Liu (margaret.liu@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors to ensure a proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

A tentative timeline:
Deadline for abstract submission: 31 November 2025
Deadline for full manuscript submission: 30 June 2026

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Jing Li
Dr. Bony Schachter
Dr. Jacopo Scarin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Daoist canonical texts
• Daoist literature
• Daoist ritual texts
• religious writings
• contemporary Daoist texts
• transformation of texts
• symbolism in writing
• circulation of texts
• Daoist community