Der Band bietet einen chronologischen Abriss zu Konfuzianismus, Daoismus, "Volksreligion“ und Buddhismus, Christentum, Manichäismus, Islam. Er fasst Kernthemen in knappen Abhandlungen zusammen und hebt ihre Bedeutung für das Gesamtbild der chinesischen Religiosität hervor. Der Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Kontextualisierung, d.h. auf der Einbettung allen religiösen Handelns und aller religiösen Sinngebung in historische und soziokulturelle Zusammenhänge.

Die Anthologie ergänzt den Band »Die Religionen Chinas« durch Primärquellen, auf die im Hauptband verwiesen wird. Der Band enthält Auszüge aus den zentralen kanonischen Texten von Konfuzianismus, Daoismus und Buddhismus, wichtige Dokumente der chinesischen Religionsgeschichte und Beispiele religiöser Volksliteratur. Textgeschichtliche Einleitungen stellen die ausgewählten Schriften in ihren historischen Kontext und Verweise auf relevante Übersetzungen und Forschungsarbeiten erleichtern den Zugang zu einer weitergehenden und vertieften Lektüre.

The series Religion and Society (RS) contributes to the exploration of religions as social systems– both in Western and non-Western societies; in particular, it examines religions in their differentiation from, and intersection with, other cultural systems, such as art, economy, law and politics. Due attention is given to paradigmatic case or comparative studies that exhibit a clear theoretical orientation with the empirical and historical data of religion and such aspects of religion as ritual, the religious imagination, constructions of tradition, iconography, or media. In addition, the formation of religious communities, their construction of identity, and their relation to society and the wider public are key issues of this series.

The series Religion and Society (RS) contributes to the exploration of religions as social systems– both in Western and non-Western societies; in particular, it examines religions in their differentiation from, and intersection with, other cultural systems, such as art, economy, law and politics. Due attention is given to paradigmatic case or comparative studies that exhibit a clear theoretical orientation with the empirical and historical data of religion and such aspects of religion as ritual, the religious imagination, constructions of tradition, iconography, or media. In addition, the formation of religious communities, their construction of identity, and their relation to society and the wider public are key issues of this series.

The series Religion and Society (RS) contributes to the exploration of religions as social systems– both in Western and non-Western societies; in particular, it examines religions in their differentiation from, and intersection with, other cultural systems, such as art, economy, law and politics. Due attention is given to paradigmatic case or comparative studies that exhibit a clear theoretical orientation with the empirical and historical data of religion and such aspects of religion as ritual, the religious imagination, constructions of tradition, iconography, or media. In addition, the formation of religious communities, their construction of identity, and their relation to society and the wider public are key issues of this series.