Dao and the Dark Side
Demons, Death, and Dangers

18th International Conference on Daoist Studies
Transilvania University, Brașov, Romania, 4-8 June, 2025

Convening in Dracula country, our topic this year is the dark and demonic. It can be explored on three
different levels: philosophy, mythology, and practice. In terms of philosophy, it invites an exploration
of concepts of evil, the shadow side of things, the wayward or heteropathic flows of qi, the destructive
effects of intervening in natural processes, the detriments of conscious divisions, emotional excesses,
and more.
On the mythological level, the topic encompasses the study of all sorts of chthonic figures:
ghosts and demons, sprites and goblins, the discontented dead (with their sepulchral plaints),
supernatural animals, deathbringers in the body, agents of disease, and many more. From early
demonologies through extensive Daoist lists of harmful agents to modern ghosts and viruses, negative
forces have occupied an important position in the worldview and cosmology of the religion.
As regards practice, third, the dark side has given rise to numerous techniques that may be
described in five types: ethical, energetic, herbal, magical, and ritual. Thus, good moral behavior can
guard against the effects of the deathbringers; there are numerous ways of guiding qi to empower the
organs and create a protective shield; plant matter—in particular peach leaves and branches—have
strong demon-quelling properties; magical chants, including the calling out of demons’ names, as well
as talismans and potent writs can drive out nasty forces; and there are numerous ritual ways to control
and subdue dark forces, including evocation, exorcism, and ensigellation, to name a few.
All these and other related topics deserve much more extensive and in-depth study, which the
conference invites to pursue.
ORGANIZERS
Chairs: Livia Kohn, Boston University; Șerban Toader, Transilvania University
Sponsors: Daesoon Academy of Sciences, Three Pines Press
Standing Committee:
USA: Liu Xun, Robin R. Wang; China: Jiang Sheng, Guo Wu; Taiwan: Liou Tong-Miin, Fiona Chang;
France: Karine Martin, Georges Favraud; Germany: Friederike Assandri, Elisabeth Friedrichs
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Christine Mollier (Paris), Title TBA
Rudolf Pfister (Basel), Title TBA
FORMAT
After arrival in Brașov on Wednesday, the conference begins with registration at 8:30 am on the next
day (Thursday), followed at 9 am by a brief opening ceremony and keynote speeches. There will be a
half-day excursion on Friday afternoon and a dinner on Saturday evening. Optional full-day excursions
will be offered both before and after, on Wednesday and Sunday. Details tba.
–Panels: Three 20-minute individual paper presentations on the panel theme, followed by open
discussion (1.5 hours).
–Workshops: Emphasis on the experience of Daoist cultivation, martial arts (taiji quan), and
forms of Daoist medicine (1 hour, 15 minutes).The room may have tables, chairs, or PPT
equipment if requested, but the emphasis should be on practical experience.
REGISTRATION
Fill in this online form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfj1CYQZzk40zsHO_wQcTgDl6Vi_EdqsnBf4mihI1SvpDqeA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Any questions or supplementary information (paper abstract in less than 200 words), please contact
serban.s.toader@gmail.com
FEE: The conference itself is free of charge, but the excursion on Friday and the dinner on Saturday
will involve some cost, probably about €40 each. We ask you to sign up ahead of time, so we can make
reservations, and collect the money in cash after arrival.
DEADLINES

There will be a limited number of tables available to distribute fliers or pamphlets and sell books, CDs,
and other materials. This service is complementary.
LOCATION
Aula Sergiu Chiriacescu of Transilvania University, Strada Iuliu Maniu 41A, Brașov 500091, Romania
Close to the city center

TRANSPORTATION
Brașov has an airport (https://brasovairport.ro/) with a limited number of flights, mainly to Germany
and the UK. Beyond that, the main airport is Bucharest (Henri Coandă https://www.otp-airport.ro/).
From there, various options are available:
1) Shuttle minibus directly to Brasov (https://direct-aeroport.ro/).
2) By Taxi or Bus 100 (https://info.stbsa.ro/traseu/887) to downtown Bucharest (circa 45 minutes).
Also by train (about 20 minutes) to the station Bucharest North, then train to Brasov. It takes 2.5 to 3
hours. Check Google Maps for details.
From the Brașov train station to the Aula is about 2 km, both local buses and taxis are available.
HOUSING
City Center (3-star) is across the street from the Aula (https://www.hotelcitycenter.ro/#)
Hotel Ambient (4-star) is a ten-minute walk (https://www.hotelambient.ro/en/)
Dorm rooms at 15 minutes walk (apply specially:serban.s.toader@gmail.com)
Plus, various guesthouses and AirBnB places