Confucianism in China - by Tony Swain (Paperback)

About the Book

"Accessible survey of Confucianism from its earliest mythological origins, through its development throughout traditional China, and culminating with the position of Confucianism in the current day"--

Book Synopsis

This accessible history of Confucianism, or the 'Way of the Ru', emphasizes the religious dimensions of the tradition. It clearly explains the tradition's unique and subtle philosophical ideals as well as the 'arts of the Ru' whereby seemingly simple acts such as reading, sitting quietly, good manners, and attending to family and state responsibilities, became ways of ultimate transformation.

This book explains the origins of the Ru and documents their impact in imperial China, before providing extensive coverage of the modern era. Confucianism in China: An Introduction shows how the long history of the Ru is vital to comprehending China today. As the empire drew to an end, there were impassioned movements both to reinvent and to eradicate Ru tradition. Less than forty years ago, it seemed close to extinction, but today it is undergoing spectacular revival.

This introduction is suitable for anyone wishing to understand a tradition that shaped imperial China and which is now increasingly swaying Chinese religious, philosophical, political, and economic developments. The book contains a glossary of key terms and 22 images, and further resources can be found on the book's webpage http: //www.bloomsbury.com/uk/confucianism-in-china-9781474242462/.

Review Quotes

Confucianism in China: An Introduction is a highly readable and rounded survey of Confucianism's intellectual history from its inception in ancient China to modern times, highlighting not only the debate over whether or not it should be viewed as a religion, but also the recent revival of the tradition's influence on Chinese culture after notable challenges to its contemporary relevance. This overview provides insightful explanations of key concepts, values, and practices as they arose, were debated, and developed at seminal moments in the tradition's long and rich history. Highly recommended for classroom use.

A richly nuanced study of the Confucian tradition in China from its beginning to its most recent manifestations, raising, answering and raising again the multifaceted question of the tradition's religious character by building a deeply sensitive understanding of the religiously transformative character of the tradition over and above the usual connotations of our word "religion." A must read for students and scholars of religion and East Asian studies for its capacity to unfold the many "Confucianism's" within the human experience of religious character.

Tackling the many questions about Confucianism that have confounded the West since the Jesuits first discovered this tradition in the 16th century, Tony Swain's Confucianism In China: An Introduction is a magisterial study, the first English-language book-length work that gives order and sense to the entire tradition of Confucianism from its mythological origins to the present day.

About the Author

Tony Swain was formerly Senior Lecturer in the Department of Religion, University of Sydney, Australia.