Shota Kikuchi, "Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism: The Space of Ideas in East Asia" - A recommended introduction to what Chinese religions are all about.
Introduced here is "Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism: The Space of East Asian Thought" by Shota Kikuchi, published by Kodansha in 2008.
Let's take a quick look at the book.
The nature of East Asian religions that coexist while contradicting each other. How can three different religions coexist? This book analyzes the dynamic thought structure of Asian religions, which repeatedly clash, compromise, and harmonize with each other on such topics as views of life and death, perceptions of nature, and folk beliefs. (Kodansha Sensho Metier)
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Although the book introduction above appears to be about East Asian religions, the main focus of this book is on Chinese religions.
What is the religion of China? Confucianism? Buddhism? Taoism? It is difficult to understand the religious situation in China, but in this book, you can learn such difficult Chinese religions in an easy-to-understand way.
In the "Introduction" to this book, the author describes the book as follows
Mr. Hiroshi Yamazaki of Kodansha visited me in my laboratory at the university.
He asked me if I would write a book that would bring together Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism in East Asia.
That is a big project. As we talked for a while at ......, I got the feeling that this editor had a different vibe from those who are interested in China and other Asian countries.
Mr. Yamazaki, what did you major in at college?"
French literature. What about you, Kikuchi?"
Religion in France."
So, we are both French. That explains why I thought it was a little strange.
Mr. Yamazaki says that when he was young, he was interested in European literature and art, reading books and seeing exhibitions. As I did so, I came to think that Christianity and Greece were important pillars of European culture after all. Now, in my middle age, I have become interested in the Chinese classics, but when I think about what their roots are, I am somewhat vague and do not understand what they are. I can't grasp whether it is Confucianism, Buddhism, or Taoism. So I wish there was a book that could unravel this unsettling haze in East Asia.
If there is such a book, I would read it first.
It was a big project, after all. However, when I looked into the Orient for a moment, I casually felt that I could write something like "......," and I must have been shallow.
Yes, let's be shallow and say what we want to say! Let's say what we want to say!
The East Asian thought space is a garden of syncretism. -This is the conclusion.
Syncretism means "jumble. It is a jumble of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. It is not pure. Yet it is rich. And this is the reality of religion.
Since a systematic discussion would be tedious, I would like to enter the Confucian-Buddhist syncretic space of thought as if I were snacking. Although the emphasis of Confucianism and Buddhism differs slightly from chapter to chapter, when Confucianism takes center stage, the next chapter will be on Buddhism or Taoism, and so on. I aim to have a coherent overview at the end of the book.
Those who love the West and want to start learning about the East are welcome to join us. For those who are indifferent to the West and have always followed the Orient, please laugh and wonder if there is such a strange way of looking at things.
Kodansha, Shota Kikuchi, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism: The Space of East Asian Thought, p. 4-5.
According to the author, this book is intended as an introductory book, but what is taught in this book is very dense.
It looks at the teachings and characteristics of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism respectively, and how they are intertwined.
The book also tackles the straightforward question, "What is religion in the first place?
This is interesting!
Our neighbor, China. What exactly is the religion of that neighbor? Surprisingly, I don't know this. This book was very stimulating and interesting for me, as I have been asking myself such questions for a long time.
Combined with the author's lighthearted narration, I read through the book in one sitting. Anyway, it was interesting!
I highly recommend this book. Why not pick up a copy?
The above is "Shota Kikuchi, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism: The Space of Thought in East Asia" - a recommended introduction to what Chinese religion is all about.
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