Chapter 21: Shang dynasty: 1765-1122 BC
21A: The Original Middle Kingdom
Overview
Classic Chinese Middle Kingdom, Chung Yuan
First great civilization of China
21B: Classic Bronze Age military aristocracy
Extreme Social Stratification
Bronze for power, not for agriculture
Social Organization needed to produce bronze
Chapter 22: Bronze & Taoist alchemy
Smelting or refinement, Taoist Alchemical metaphor
Bronze: Synergistic Transformation
Purification, Integration, and Actualization
Same in Taijiquan: First purification
Then integration
Actualization through the Quest
Summary
Chapter 23: The Shang, Invaders or Indigenous?
Shang from the West on top of Longshan and Yangshao, from conquering?
Sacrifice to the Gods
Warrior cultures force fertility cultures underground
All preliminary evidence points one way
Indigenous Development
Lots of Evidence for indigenous origination
Implications of indigenous origination
Longshan vs. Shang ancestor worship
Summary
Chapter 24: Bronze Age Power vs. Paleolithic Fertility
Phallus power vs. Vaginal fertility cultures
Taoism Paleolithic not Neolithic
Yielding to the Tao or The trust in divinity
Summary
Chapter 25: Writing, ancestors, and history
Origination of Chinese ideograms, i.e. writing, during the Shang
The Chinese Language
Taoist attitude, no paper, no words
Wordless message of The Journey
Chapter 26: The Southeast Asia connection
Shang Bronze work unsurpassed
The Khorat Culture of Southeast Asia: 4000 - 1500 BC
Influence of Khorat culture on Neolithic China
Influence of Southeast Asia upon the Shang
Serpent Dragons of the Southeast Asia
Summary
Chapter 27: Cultural Diffusion from the West via Lake Baikal
Cultural Diffusion
Military Shang need weaponry
The spread of Bronze Age military technology
Bronze military technology from Siberia to China
Lake Baikal rift reconnected with cultural influences
Summary
Chapter 28A: The Chariot & the Shang
The Wheel and the Chariot
Chariot not indigenous
Importance of Chariot for the Shang
Side effects of bronze chariots
Training a Warrior Class
28B: Modern reflections of the Chariot
The Charioteer & Non-action
Balance and Direction
Turning and Central Equilibrium
Taiji Residuals
Royal blood in Taoism and T’ai Chi
In summary: Chariot primary feature of Shang
Chapter 29: The Northern Siberian connection
Unique Shang motifs
Animal motifs abound in Siberia: not Neolithic
Shang similarities with Hunting cultures of Siberia
Beringian woodworking spreads south
Intermediate stages in Siberia not China
Hunting cultures
Overview
Scenario: Came to help out, stayed and ruled
Chapter 30: Ritualization of the Shang culture
Elaborate rituals to maintain cultural stability
Narrowing band of acceptable behavior
Ritualization brings confidence
Confucian vs. Taoist attitude towards ritual
Social stratification and rigidification in the Shang
Mandate of Heaven linked to popular retribution
Ritual and Ceremony substituted for Leadership
Worshipping external form instead of internal essence
Summary