An academic forum titled "Research on the Development of Chinese Religious Studies in the New Era" and the annual meeting of the Chinese Association of Religious Studies rolled out in Chengdu, Sichuan.
During the conference on August 26th, in the keynote speech session, Zheng Xiaoyun, president of the Chinese Association of Religious Studies and director of the Institute of World Religions of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivered a speech titled "Guidance, Harmony, Moistening, Transformation: Theoretical Reflections on Promoting Sinicization of Religion in China," reported the WeChat account of the SARA (China's State Administration for Religious Affairs). She emphasized the need to strengthen the construction of the "guidance" system, adhere to the principles of "harmony," utilize the function of "moistening," and achieve the goal and effect of "transformation."
Subsequently, seven experts and scholars, including Prof. Zhuo Xinping from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Prof. Gai Jianmin from Sichuan University's Institute of Taoist and Religious Culture, and Prof. Fu Youde, director of the Center for Judaic and Inter-Religious Studies at Shandong University, gave talks around the theme of "Promoting Localization of Religion in China." Their talks covered contemporary religious studies, the discipline, and talent development in religious studies. They discussed subjects such as "The Predicament and Hope of Contemporary Religious Studies," "The Historical Status and Modern Value of Taoist Culture from the Perspective of Different Interpretative Models of the Confucian-Taoist-Buddhist Relationship," "The Jewish Amidah and Its Significance in Cultural Studies," "Writing the 'New History of Religion' from the Perspective of Sinicization of Religion," "Consideration of Taoism as an Empirical Religion in Religious Studies," "Sinicization of Christianity and the Transformation of Chinese Churches" and "An Outline of the Contemporary Interpretation of Taoist Doctrines."
Following the keynote speeches, the forum proceeded with discussions in four parallel sessions focusing on "Further Advancing Research on the Sinicization of Religion in China," "Construction of a Religious Studies System With Chinese Characteristics," "Research on Major Theoretical and Practical Issues in the Field of Religion," and "Special Topics in Religious Studies Theory."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
