Chinese religion: An introduction

by Laurence G. Thompson

This accessible introduction to the study of Chinese religion presents religious expression as a manifestation of Chinese culture. Like other books in Wadsworth's Religious Life in History Series, this text explores religion as a means to 'ultimate transformation.'

Genres: Religion, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Textbooks

166 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually a re-read, since I read it as a student quite a few years back. But my interest in the subject-matter is greater now, and I know more, generally speaking, about that part of the world so I thought it might be worth going through it again. And I was not wrong.

There are a couple of drawbacks. First of all, it IS a bit old, and I really hope there is something more updated out there now. And secondly the books is clearly aimed at American college students with absolutely no idea that people can live quite different lives (for example, there are many times the author explains how things differ from Christianity - which feels a bit like explaining why a banana isn't a strawberry, and I think it underestimates quite a few of the readers, even those student ones).

But that said, when he gets on to actually talk about religion and the social history of China, he does so quite well and he manages to cram quite a lot of information into this rather slim book.

[Guini Mayse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very insightful, and it helped in my understanding of Chinese religion. I did not realize how misconstrued ideas I had about Chinese religion and I’m glad I read this to better understand the basics. I know these ideas way better now than I originally thought I did.