Tuesday, May 28, 2019
So long a letter :: essays research papers
Daniel Overmyers, Religions of China, discusses the diachronic developments of the different religions of China. It also addresses the impact religion has on the daily deportment of the Chinese in the past and present. Overmyer introduces the Chinese living system with his knowledge of Feng-shui, and how everything is connected by shared rhythms. These rhythms are discussed as the cold, dark forces of yin and the hot, bright forces of yang in concert with the five powers of metal, plant, life, water, fire and earth these forces are modes of qi, vital substance. Their interaction produces all things (12). The author does an excellent job in his approach to teaching Chinese religions and culture. He explains its concept and upbringings then tries to relate them to the readers daily life. This book serves as an introduction to Chinese History, in terms of religions and practices, which paved the flair for China today. In order to help introduce the major cultural and religious featur es of the book, the author places a chronological list of events in the beginning of the textual matter from the Prehistoric time (6000 B.C.) to the Peoples Republic of China (1949-present). Its geographical limits are all of China, which extends from the Pacific Ocean to India to Afghanistan, and from Burma in the south to Siberia in the north. Overmyer gives a brief historical view of the countrys political and social climb, one example was with the decline of the Hans dynasty to the uprising of the Yellow Turbans then to Way of the Celestial Masters. These two frequent movements were also forerunners of Daoism, which became the most important religious tradition founded in China (37). The presentation of the text is thematic and it provides the reader with a footmark by step analysis to religions and practices. The author presents the concept in a very organized fashion. The first chapter introduces the beliefs and values of Chinas living system, with the concept of Feng-shui and qi. The next chapter gives a brief overview of the historical developments of the different religions Daoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Popular Religion, and Foreign Religion. The proceeding chapters include the traditions and practices in their religious life and also the communitys intervention with the phantasmal life i.e. The Spring Festival, Exorcism and the Buddhist Enlightenment. The last chapter, Chinese Religions Today, emphasizes on present day religion in Taiwan and China mainland.Overmyer is very intimate in the subject matter, he was taught by his mother during his first 5 years living in China.
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