Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/religious-transformation-early-china-the-period-of-division
If you’re fascinated by the intricate tapestry of Chinese cultural history, the Coursera course ‘Religious Transformation in Early China: the Period of Division’ is a must-take. This course offers a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding the shifts in modes of rationality that shaped Chinese society from 220 to 589 AD.
The course is structured into four modules, each delving into different aspects of religious transformation during this pivotal period.
**Module 06: Religious Transformation in the Period of Division (220-589 AD)** introduces the elite’s critique of shamanism and their promotion of a new cosmology that influenced medicine and the bureaucratic empire. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for understanding the broader cultural shifts.
**Module 07: Religious Communities** explores the emergence of new religious communities, including those organized around transcendents, the Heavenly Masters, and Buddhists. This module is particularly enlightening as it highlights the diversity of religious practices that arose during this time.
**Module 08: Rituals** examines how Buddhist and Daoist rituals transformed both society and individual lives. The emphasis on orality in Buddhism versus the written traditions in Daoism provides a fascinating contrast that enriches our understanding of these religions.
**Module 09: Scriptures** dives into the central texts of Buddhism and Daoism, revealing their differing biases and the role of logic and cosmology in each tradition. This module is essential for anyone looking to grasp the foundational texts that shaped these religions.
**Module 10: Literature** discusses the impact of Buddhism on Chinese poetry and the contrasting styles of public sermons and private records in Daoism. This exploration of literature showcases how religious thought influenced artistic expression.
**Module 11: Sacred Geography** takes a unique approach by examining how Daoist sacred geography reflects an exploration of the inner self, alongside the imperial preference for Daoism and the Buddhist influence in China.
**Module 12: Popular Religion** concludes the course by illustrating the resilience of popular religion despite elite opposition, and how Buddhism and Daoism addressed the fears surrounding spirits of the dead.
Overall, this course is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone interested in the religious and cultural transformations of early China. The interdisciplinary approach, combined with a focus on cultural artifacts, makes it a rich learning experience. I highly recommend this course to students of history, religion, and cultural studies alike.
Whether you’re a seasoned scholar or a curious beginner, ‘Religious Transformation in Early China’ will deepen your understanding of how religion shaped one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/religious-transformation-early-china-the-period-of-division