Introducing Chinese Religions

Introducing Chinese Religions is the ideal starting point for students exploring the fascinating religious traditions of China. This introduction covers the whole spectrum of Chinese religious history, from the multi-faceted religious heritage of pre-modern China, to the practice of different religions in China today, as well as the spread and influence of Chinese religions throughout the world.
Mario Poceski, an experienced teacher of Chinese religions, explores the three main traditions of Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism, as well as the development of Western and popular religions in the region, such as Christianity and Islam. The book introduces students to the richness and diversity of Chinese religious life, pointing out mutual influences and intersections of the religions of the region, and how they interact with other elements of Chinese culture and society, including politics, literature and art.
Illustrated throughout, the book also includes text boxes, summary charts, a glossary and a list of further reading to aid students’ understanding and revision. The accompanying website for this book can be found at www.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415434065.

Mario Poceski is Associate Professor of Buddhist Studies and Chinese Religions in the Department of Religion at University of Florida.

Chinese Dynastic History. Preface and Acknowledgements. Introduction 1. Early Patterns of Chinese Religious Life 2. The Classical Confucian Tradition 3. Early Texts and the Emergence of Religious Daoism 4. Daoist Traditions and Practices 5. Spread and Flourishing of Buddhism in China 6. Schools and Practices of Chinese Buddhism 7. Popular religion 8. Later Transformations of Confucianism 9. Christianity, Islam and other 'Western' Religions 10. Religion in Modern China Appendix: Major Chinese Festivals. Chinese Glossary. Bibliography. Index