Anna Sun
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691155579
- eISBN:
- 9781400846085
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691155579.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Hinduism
Is Confucianism a religion? If so, why do most Chinese think it isn't? This book traces the birth and growth of the idea of Confucianism as a world religion. The book begins at Oxford, in the late ...
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Is Confucianism a religion? If so, why do most Chinese think it isn't? This book traces the birth and growth of the idea of Confucianism as a world religion. The book begins at Oxford, in the late nineteenth century, when Friedrich Max Müller and James Legge classified Confucianism as a world religion in the new discourse of “world religions” and the emerging discipline of comparative religion. The book shows how that decisive moment continues to influence the understanding of Confucianism in the contemporary world, not only in the West but also in China, where the politics of Confucianism has become important to the present regime in a time of transition. Contested histories of Confucianism are vital signs of social and political change. The book also examines the revival of Confucianism in contemporary China and the social significance of the ritual practice of Confucian temples. While the Chinese government turns to Confucianism to justify its political agenda, Confucian activists have started a movement to turn Confucianism into a religion. Confucianism as a world religion might have begun as a scholarly construction, but are we witnessing its transformation into a social and political reality? With historical analysis, extensive research, and thoughtful reflection, this book will engage all those interested in religion and global politics at the beginning of the Chinese century.Less
Is Confucianism a religion? If so, why do most Chinese think it isn't? This book traces the birth and growth of the idea of Confucianism as a world religion. The book begins at Oxford, in the late nineteenth century, when Friedrich Max Müller and James Legge classified Confucianism as a world religion in the new discourse of “world religions” and the emerging discipline of comparative religion. The book shows how that decisive moment continues to influence the understanding of Confucianism in the contemporary world, not only in the West but also in China, where the politics of Confucianism has become important to the present regime in a time of transition. Contested histories of Confucianism are vital signs of social and political change. The book also examines the revival of Confucianism in contemporary China and the social significance of the ritual practice of Confucian temples. While the Chinese government turns to Confucianism to justify its political agenda, Confucian activists have started a movement to turn Confucianism into a religion. Confucianism as a world religion might have begun as a scholarly construction, but are we witnessing its transformation into a social and political reality? With historical analysis, extensive research, and thoughtful reflection, this book will engage all those interested in religion and global politics at the beginning of the Chinese century.
Scott D. Seligman
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- September 2013
- ISBN:
- 9789888139897
- eISBN:
- 9789888180745
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Hong Kong University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5790/hongkong/9789888139897.003.0024
- Subject:
- History, American History: 19th Century
Wong entertained the notion that he could find political will to lift restrictions on citizenship for Chinese Americans. However, as both the Republican and Democratic Parties called for the ...
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Wong entertained the notion that he could find political will to lift restrictions on citizenship for Chinese Americans. However, as both the Republican and Democratic Parties called for the prevention of immigration of low-cost Chinese labour, there was no political party which Wong could actually turn to. Therefore he attempted to establish a new American Liberal Party. He published his fourth and last newspaper as well, and he intended to establish a Confucian temple in Chicago. All of his endeavours might have something to do with his desire to preach Confucianism to American society.Less
Wong entertained the notion that he could find political will to lift restrictions on citizenship for Chinese Americans. However, as both the Republican and Democratic Parties called for the prevention of immigration of low-cost Chinese labour, there was no political party which Wong could actually turn to. Therefore he attempted to establish a new American Liberal Party. He published his fourth and last newspaper as well, and he intended to establish a Confucian temple in Chicago. All of his endeavours might have something to do with his desire to preach Confucianism to American society.
