Understanding Chinese Religions

Chinese religions are often represented as a unity in which each tradition possesses a number of features typical of a Chinese religious system. Some of these features have been described as non-religious, so that from the 17th century there has been debate in Europe as to whether religion in China exists at all or whether what appear as Chinese religions are not atheistic, purely functional, superstitious cults and rituals. However Chinese religions have long been of interest and fascination for Western scholars. Abundant historical material makes Chinese religions a highly interesting case. With their entirely different philosophical and political context Chinese religions are a challenging field of analysis for Western systematic questions and theories of religion. There is a rich and expanding scholarship in Chinese religions. At the same time, Chinese religions provide students with new and challenging perspectives on the nature of reality, environmental contexts, health, and diXinzhong Yao Staff is the author of 'Understanding Chinese Religions ', published 2008 under ISBN 9781903765777 and ISBN 1903765773.