Liao Zhai stories about miracles in translation by academician Vasili Mikhailovich Alexseev and Taoism development in China

The article focuses on the values of Taosizm traditions. It studies translations carried out by an outstanding translator and scholar. Translations and interpretations of Pu SungLin stories about miracles are estimated as the most important intellectual investment of the scientist-orientalist V. M. Alekseev. We now turn our attention to Pu SungLin (1640-1715). It’s a Chinese writer who lived in the era of the Manchus conquest of China. Stories about miracles help to understand the history of Chinese Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and acquaint us with Taoism tradition development during the Pu SungLin era. The author came to a conclusion that miracles and performed magic reveal pivotal cultural values not only of the Pu Sung-lin era, but also of the early Middle Ages of China. During the reign of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) when Chinese emperors protected Taoism, it was officially announced that the dynasty originated from Lao Tzu. Fascination by Taoist alchemy blossomed at the time. The pivotal moments of the stories are grounded on “bizarre, supernatural, strange” things. The monks interfere into the lives of the humans on the rights of the wizards. Pu SungLin stories in translations of V. M. Alexseev expand our idea of Taoism. To understand what Taoism is it might be useful to read Liao Zhai stories about miracles.