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Evgeny Torchinov is well known for many Russian people interested in Daoism. Many people that I know appreciate his work and respectful respond about the outstanding personality of their author. Recently, at one of the topics discussed at the forum, professor Torchinov was called an amateur by Taoist Texts. Therefore, the reason I decided to open a separate topic to introduce the name of Evgeny Torchinov for all members of thedaobums forum: ============================================================================================== Professor Evgeny A. Torchinov, Ph.D., D.Sc., was The Head of the Department of Oriental Philosophy and Cultural Studies (1998-2003) at St. Petersburg State University in Russia. He was born on 22 August 1956 in the city of Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz). His interest in Chinese culture, beginning when he was 13 years old, determined his future life and career. As a university student he studied Chinese philosophy and religion generally, but then added in special topics such as Daoist alchemy, Tantric yoga, Yogacara Idealism, Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, and transpersonal studies. Professor Evgeny Torchinov was a tireless, painstaking, and prolific scholar, proficient in a variety of languages. Since 1980, he published over 120 articles and several books (in Russian, Chinese, and English). His productivity is all the more remarkable given the meager support and resources available for scholarship in Russia. With the fall of the Soviet regime and its restrictions on travel, professor Torchinov participated in conferences in China, Hong Kong, France, Israel, Germany, Japan, and Finland, as well as fulfilling lecture appointments in Israel and Canada. Evgeny Torchinov died on 12 July 2003. His many colleagues in Russia and around the world were stunned by his premature death. The loss of Evgeny Torchinov is a big loss for all who cherish the memory of this exceptional colleague his erudition, dedication, kindness, enthusiasm, warmth, humor, and humanity. ©(Shapiro S. I., Soidla T. R. The Fire Passes on: Evgeny A. Torchinov: A Tribute (1956-2003) // Journal of Transpersonal Psychology. Vol. 35, 2 (2003). P. 83-84.) ================================================================================== Professor Torchinov made a lot of great translations of classical texts of Daoist alchemy. He always tried to treat the Daoist tradition as a coherent whole, and paid much attention to various aspects of the history of Daoism, and the various aspects of his teachings. In addition, in the interpretation of Daoist treatises professor Torchinov relied not only classical commentaries, but also relied the later esoteric and alchemical tradition commentaries. I hope that now I clear the good name of Evgeny A.Torchinov. And now all forum members know more about the greatest expert respected by all Daoists in Russia (without exceptions) and around the world. _______________ Sincerely, Pavel K.