110-443 Chinese Religion and Ritual

Formerly available as 110-058/343. Students who have completed 110-058 or 158-343 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

110-163 Introductory Chinese 3B or equivalent and/or admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in Chinese.

This subject is a survey of the rich and variegated religious landscape of China, encompassing the doctrinal traditions of Taoism and Buddhism as well as sectarian and local cults. The importance of ritual as an organising principle in Chinese society and culture will be investigated through examination of the imperial cults and the highly evolved ritual forms of classical and popular Taoism. The significance of the contemporary revival of ritual activity in China will be explored, as will the evidence for the continued existence of a 'shamanic substratum' in Chinese culture.