The Religious Studies Speaker Series and Oakton COMPASS present “Buddhist Death Rituals and Religious Syncretism in Chinese Popular Religions” with Jonathan H. X. Lee, Ph.D.

Various religions and traditions have significantly shaped "Chinese popular religion." Buddhism, for instance, has introduced funerary rituals and spiritual helpers such as Buddhas and bodhisattvas—compassionate beings dedicated to guiding others toward enlightenment. Taoism has also contributed by influencing funerary practices and providing a pantheon of deities who interact with the lives of believers. Confucianism's impact includes a focus on social harmony and the veneration of ancestors, emphasizing respect and remembrance for one's forebears.

Additionally, native Chinese folk traditions have enriched Chinese popular religion with concepts like yin and yang, which represent opposing yet complementary forces, and practices such as fengshui, the ancient art of arranging environments to enhance the flow of qi (life force).

Chinese folk religion offers a diverse array of beliefs, rituals, myths and principles, deeply influencing followers' daily lives, social interactions and perceptions of their place within the cosmos. This discussion will delve into how Buddhism has transformed Chinese popular religion, particularly focusing on the experiences of Chinese Americans within the global diaspora. We will examine how death rituals shape identity and intersect with the racialized perceptions of Chinese Americans as both "American" and "non-American."
 

Please register to take part in this virtual event.

The Religious Studies Speaker Series is made possible by a grant from Oakton’s Educational Foundation. This event is co-sponsored by Oakton’s COMPASS and AANAPISI programming.