Chinese Religions: A Cultural Perspective

by Christian Jochim

This book introduces Chinese religious traditions by focusing on the interaction between religion and other aspects of Chinese culture. It identifies the basic features of religious theory, practice... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0131329944
• ISBN13: 9780131329942
• Release Date: October 1985
• Publisher: Pearson
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A good orientation on Chinese religions

This brief book is a good study on Chinese religions from a Western scholar in personal experience in Taiwan. He described in details in visiting the temples and shared his observation through alien looking glass. Western religions fight each other in their difference and sects and were the major clash of bloodshed and war, ranging from orthodox to cult. Missionaries came to China and witnessed the harmony of three faiths temples next to each other amazingly. Love your neighbor disciples now come to different countries for conversion. Chinese people in 19th century suffered with about forty religious cases resulting in cultural clashes to the climax of Boxer Uprising of 1900. Chinese people do not discriminate with Confucius hat, Taoism robe and Buddhism shoes. They do not have slaughter war in the name of God! Many westerners find their freedom in the stressful modern material life in Taoism and Buddhism. He quoted on Confucius Age of Grand Unity (p.187) an ideal harmony state explicitly practice in the current Chinese Communist Party. It is the ideal state of harmonious cooperation such as the yin and yang symbol. Taoism need no salesmanship and the truth is self-evident in Tao Te Ching, the wisdom of Lao Tzu This little book helps you believe which contains lie even in the spelling!. You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free!

Off to an excellent start

Christian Jochim, Ph.D., is well-qualfied to speak on the matter of Chinese religions. Not only is he fluent in Mandarin Chinese, he lived in Taiwan for several years, where he conducted advanced research in this field. Moreover, in his years as a professor at California State University, San Jose, he has introduced this topic to literally thousands of students, of whom I was one. Dr. Jochim guided me from an initial, low-level understanding to an interest in pursuing my own advanced study in this area, which I did in graduate school. I consider Dr. Jochim both a mentor and a friend. In this book, which is suited both for undergraduate students and anyone who is interested in this area, Dr. Jochim guides the reader through an understanding of the theories (or doctrines), the practices (what people actually do) and the social organization aspects of various Chinese religions. Plus, he ably demonstrates how, in China, religions often interweave. Buddhism and Taoism share some common points for example. A Chinese person can "officially" practice Confucianism and turn around and celebrate a Buddhist holiday. Earlier existing folk religious practices often undergird any "formal" Chinese religion. All this is well-explained in this book. My own copy of this book is well-worn. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a basic, sound understanding of the religious and philosophical underpinnings of the people of one of the most important (and becoming more important!) countries on the face of the earth.

Off to an excellent start

Christian Jochim, Ph.D., is well-qualified to speak on the subject of Chinese religions. Not only does he speak, read and write Mandarin Chinese very well, he also lived in Taiwan for several years, where he conducted extensive research in this field. Moreover, Dr. Jochim has years of teaching experience on the faculty of California State University, San Jose. In his years there, he has introduced this subject to literally thousands of people, of whom I was one. I must say that I consider Dr. Jochim to be a good friend. He helped me to move from an introductory level of understanding to far beyond. In fact, he encouraged me to attend graduate school, which I subsequently did. Dr. Jochim knows how to teach very well, and how to make exotic and seemingly incomprehensible material highly understandable to students who encounter such material for the first time. From his academic training and experience in advanced research, Dr. Jochim leads the reader through the three phases of the theories (or doctrines), the practices (what people actually do) and the social organization aspects of the various religions encountered in China, and Chinese societies. Further, he demonstrates the frequent interconnections of Chinese religions. Buddhism and Taoism have overlapped in China,and both are undergirded by previously-existing folk religious practices. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a good, basic introduction to the religious/philosophical background of the people of one of the single most important countries (and becoming more important) in the world.