My primary area of research is Chinese religious Daoism and popular religious practice. My early work centered on the growth of deity cults in medieval China and their synthesis with Daoism in the Song. In this connection, I explored the role of blood sacrifice in traditional Chinese religion and the significance of its rejection by the institutionalized religions of Buddhism and Daoism. More recently, I have concentrated on the foundational period of the Daoist church, trying to understand the social and material reality behind surviving texts from this period. _Great Perfection_ explored a Daoist kingdom established during the fourth century. Celestial Masters: History and Ritual in Early Daoist Communities (Harvard East Asia Institute, 2016) is the first history in any Western language of the foundational period of the Daoist religion. Current research interests include the interaction of Daoism with Chinese medical traditions and the Daoism of the Yao minority of South China.
keywords
Chinese thought and religion, East Asian ethnic history, history of the Chinese language, Chinese medicine and science, ancient and medieval Chinese literature
CHIN 1012 - Introduction to Chinese Civilization
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018
An interdisciplinary introduction from ancient to modern times. Arts, literature, politics, social relations, religion, and material culture are studied in terms of significant themes and ideas pertaining to the civilization of China. Taught in English.
CHIN 3311 - The Dao and the World in Medieval China
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018
An interdisciplinary examination of the role of Daoist and Buddhist philosophical and religious concepts and images in medieval Chinese civilization, including literature and the arts. Focuses on the personal aspects of this period of religious and intellectual ferment, tracing the representation of these ideas in Chinese poetry, prose, painting and the plastic arts as well as their role in philosophical and religious speculation. Taught in English. Recommended prerequisite: CHIN 1012 or CHIN 1051.
CHIN 5430 - Medieval Thought and Religion
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
Studies selected works of early medieval (ca. 200-600 AD) and/or late medieval (600-900) religious importance. Selections vary from fundamental texts of both literary and religious value, Daoist and Buddhist canons, the Huangting jing, Zhen gao, Miaofa lianhua jing, and Tan jing, particular topics of social or cultural importance, character assessment, arcane learning, or methods of commentary. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Knowledge of Classical Chinese at the level of CHIN 4220 is required.
CHIN 5750 - Daoism
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021
Detailed examination of scriptures, liturgies, precept codes and hagiographies of Daoism, China's indigenous organized religion. Focusing on origins and development, ethical teachings, ritual activities and world view. Topics include the relationship of Daoism to popular religion, practice of alchemy and self-cultivation, beliefs concerning death and afterlife and structure of the Daoist pantheon. Same as CHIN 4750 and RLST 4750 and RLST 5750.
RLST 2620 - Religions of East Asia
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018
Introduces literature, beliefs, practices, and institutions of Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Shintoism in historical perspective.
RLST 3800 - Chinese Religions
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021
Studies classical Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Neo-Confucianism within the historical context of Chinese culture.
RLST 4780 - New Religions of East Asia
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
Explores the new religious movements of modern China, Japan and Korea, which have arisen over the last century due to the influence of the West and in response to the pressures of modernization. Previous coursework in religious studies or Asian languages and civilizations is recommended. Same as RLST 5780.
RLST 5780 - New Religions of East Asia
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
Explores the new religious movements of modern China, Japan, and Korea, which have arisen over the last century due to the influence of the West and in response to the pressures of modernization. Previous coursework in religious studies or Asian languages and civilizations is recommended. Same as RLST 4780.
