Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/religious-transformation-early-china-the-period-of-division
Embarking on a journey through ancient China’s spiritual evolution is a captivating experience, and the Coursera course ‘Religious Transformation in Early China: The Period of Division’ offers a profound exploration of this complex era. Spanning from 220 to 589 AD, this period, also known as the Six Dynasties, witnessed seismic shifts in Chinese thought and society, largely driven by the influx and adaptation of Buddhism and the continued development of Daoism.
This multi-disciplinary course, which is part of a larger sequence, approaches Chinese cultural history through the lens of changing rationalities. It masterfully connects cultural artifacts – from philosophical texts and literature to rituals and social structures – with the prevailing political and economic systems of the time. The syllabus is meticulously structured, guiding learners through key transformations.
Module 06 sets the stage by examining the elite’s complex relationship with shamanism, highlighting their promotion of a new cosmology that reshaped medicine and laid groundwork for both personal cultivation and imperial bureaucracy. Modules 07 and 08 delve into the emergence of new religious communities, focusing on those organized around ‘transcendents,’ the Heavenly Masters, and importantly, Buddhism. The revolutionary impact of Buddhist and Daoist rituals on Chinese society and individuals is vividly explained, with a keen eye on the oral traditions of Buddhism versus the written emphasis of Daoism.
As we progress, Modules 09 and 10 explore the critical role of scriptures and literature. We learn how Buddhist scriptures confirmed an oral/aural bias, while Daoist texts leaned towards the written/visual. The centrality of logic in Buddhism and cosmology in Daoism becomes clear, and the course beautifully illustrates how Buddhist scriptures influenced Chinese poetry and how ‘public sermons’ contrasted with Daoist ‘private records of the imagination.’
Modules 11 and 12 bring the focus to sacred geography and popular religion. The course reveals how Daoist sacred geography served as an exploration of the inner self, and the significant role mountains played in both imperial preferences and Buddhism’s ‘conquest’ of China. Finally, it addresses the resilience of popular religion despite elite opposition and how both Buddhism and Daoism navigated the pervasive fear of the spirits of the dead.
Overall, ‘Religious Transformation in Early China: The Period of Division’ is an exceptionally well-researched and engaging course. It provides a nuanced understanding of how religious ideas not only survived but thrived and reshaped Chinese civilization during a period of significant upheaval. The instructors’ ability to weave together diverse elements of culture, religion, and politics is commendable. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in Chinese history, religious studies, or the fascinating interplay between culture and societal change.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/religious-transformation-early-china-the-period-of-division