Association for Asian Studies 2003 Annual Meeting TRANSFORMING THE DIVINE: EVOLVING TRADITIONS IN SIX DYNASTIES DAOISM Session 212 Chaired by Peter Nickerson Duke University Panel Abtract Various Daoist lineages appeared, during the formative period from the Latter Han through the Six Dynasties (2nd-6th centuries), defining and asserting themselves through complex processes of appropriation, negotiation and reconstitution of older traditions. The papers in this panel examine such transformations and reformulations of ancient myths, rituals, hagiographies, as well as conceptions of the body and of the land. Gil Raz looks at cultic and communal practices of Late Han fangshi, seekers of immortality, who were themselves transformed and revered as immortals. He then traces how these individuals were absorbed into the emerging Daoist pantheons and recast as celestial officials. James Robson examines the transformation of Wei Huacun from a mortal adept to a goddess. In tracing this process, Robson also examines how her followers mapped her biography onto the physical landscape of the Southern Marchmount, and the subsequent transformation of the landscape itself. Julius Tsai explores how the ancient myths of Yu, with its themes of imperial investiture, sacrifice, initiation and demon quelling through magical powers were transformed into foundational accounts for Daoist practices, Yu himself becoming a model for the Daoist adept. CLICK ON TITLES TO DOWNLOAD FILES Practices of Immortality and Cults of Immortals Gil Raz Indiana University graz@indiana.edu Virtual Images/Real Shadows: The Transposition of the Myths and Cults of Lady Wei James Robson Williams College james.robson@williams.edu The Transformations of Myths Concerning Yu the Great into Daoist Narrative and Ritual Julius N. Tsai Stanford University jntsai@stanford.edu Discussant Peter Nickerson Duke University