Chinese Religion: A Contextual Approach / Edition 1

by Xinzhong Yao, Yanxia Zhao

Overview

Chinese Religion: A Contextual Approach is a new introduction to the field of Chinese religion and culture. It seeks to guide readers through some of the primary source material and to introduce them to continuing, contemporary debates and interpretations of religious ideas, concepts and practices in China and beyond. Defining religion as a way of life, this book examines religious beliefs and practices in particular cultural contexts, and highlights the relevance of religion to personal, communal and political life.

In this clear account, Xinzhong Yao and Yanxia Zhao move away from the traditional and outmoded definition of Chinese religion, towards a multi-layered hermeneutic of the diverse and yet syncretic nature and functions of religions in China. Additional features include questions for reflection and discussion at the end of each chapter and suggestions for further reading at the end of the book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781847064769
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/25/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Xinzhong Yao is Professor of Chinese Religion at King's College London, UK, and author of An Introduction to Confucianism (Cambridge University Press 2000). Yanxia Zhao is Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Wales, Lampeter, UK, and author of Father and Son in Confucianism and Christianity: A Comparative Study of Xunzi and Paul (Sussex Academic Press, 2007).

Table of Contents

List of Figures viii

Preface ix

A Timeline for Chinese Religion xv

1 Setting the Context 1

China and Chinese culture 2

Chinese religion 6

'Three religions of China' 11

Other paradigms 15

The study of Chinese religion 19

Questions for discussion 23

2 Religion and Zongjiao 24

'Religion' and Chinese religion 25

Zong as ancestral traditions 30

Jiao as the teaching transmitted from the past 34

Zongjiao as religion 39

Religion and the Chinese way of Life 43

Questions for discussion 44

3 Religion in History 45

Four seasons of religious history 46

The beginnings of religion 49

Growth of religious schools 56

Maturity of religions 65

Religious suppression 73

Questions for discussion 76

4 Religion as Culture 77

Religion and culture 77

Zongjiao and wenhua 78

Religious culture 83

Moralizing religion 86

Harmony 94

Questions for discussion 102

5 Religion in Family contexts 103

Family and religion 104

Life and family lineage 109

Ancestor worship 111

Household deities 117

Questions for discussion 122

6 Religion and State 123

'Protection' vs. 'persecution' 124

Family, state and religion 127

State and state religion 129

Managing religions 133

Judging religions 138

Questions for discussion 145

7 Religious Beliefs 146

Three underlying themes 148

Belief in ultimate Gods 153

The Chinese pantheon 157

Divinity in humans 163

Questions for discussion 169

8 Religious Practices 170

Practice and spirituality 171

Meanings of sacrifice 173

Thanksgiving and redeeming 177

Rites of passage 180

Divination 185

Questions for discussion 192

9 Religion as the Way of Life 193

Questions for discussion 199

Appendix I A Glossary of Chinese Characters and Terms 200

Appendix II A Glossary of Chinese Names and Texts 209

Bibliography 214

Index 221

Editorial Reviews

"With interest in China and things Chinese growing at an unprecedented rate, this wide-ranging, informative and readable introduction to Chinese religion by Xinzhong Yao and Yanxia Zhao is both timely and welcome. Based on twenty years experience of teaching a course in Chinese religion and culture, the authors provide a first-rate account of Han Chinese religion in its social and historical context, aimed at students and the general reader. Highly recommended!" - Professor Brian Bocking, University College Cork, Ireland

From the Publisher