Religion in China: Ties that Bind

China Today

by Adam Yuet Chau

In recent years, there has been an astonishing revival of religious practices in China. Looking beyond numerical counts of religious practitioners, temples, and churches, anthropologist Adam Yuet Chau's vivid study explores how religion is embedded in contemporary Chinese lives and society, from personal devotion to community-wide festivals.

Covering Buddhism, Daoism, and folk religion, as well as Christianity and Islam, this ethnographically rich book provides insights into the contemporary relevance of religious traditions in Chinese societies. By considering the ways in which Chinese people 'do' religion, Chau reveals how religious practice plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining a wide range of between people, spirits, and places; ritual service providers and their customers; the state and religious groups. He argues that relationality is the key anchor of religious lifeworlds, and this insight demands an entirely new way of approaching religion everywhere.

This lively account will appeal to those studying or curious about Chinese or East Asian religions, and serves as a perfect gateway to understanding religious practices in China today.

Genres: China, Nonfiction

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2019

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a clear breakdown of distinct religions and their differences in China, this book isn't for you. Rather, the author paints a broad picture of religious life in China, accounting for the wide variety of influences, using good examples throughout the book. The author is a bit "preachy" in places, but understandably so, with some good points. There are interesting pictures, but what may have been good quality to begin with is lost with the black and white printing.

[Jessica Zu · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’d definitely teach this book in my Chinese religions courses from now on!
the five modalities of doing religion will help students get out of the christianity modes