Religion in Chinese Society: A Scholarly of Social Functions

In this review of Religion in Chinese Society: A Study of Contemporary Social Functions of Religion and Some of Their Historical Factors, the reviewer finds a rich, evidence-driven analysis best suited to scholars and serious students of Chinese religion and social history. C. K. Yang's work overturns the simplistic view of China as unreligious by showing how belief, ritual, and sacred organization are embedded in family, community, and state life, making this book essential for anyone seeking a deeper, document-based understanding of religion's social roles.

Key Features

• Comprehensive archival evidence: Yang draws on local gazetteers, temple inscriptions, and popular mythological literature to ground his arguments in historical documents and local practice.
• Clear distinction of forms: The book separates institutional religions like Buddhism and Taoism from diffused religion such as ancestral rites, clarifying different channels of religious influence on society.
• Focus on social infrastructure: Temples and festivals are treated as coordinating institutions that shape community organization and public life, not merely devotional sites.
• Historical sensitivity: Yang links contemporary social functions to historical factors, helping readers see continuity and change across time.
• Sociological perspective: The study uses sociological concepts to explain how religious practices operate through secular institutions like the family and local governance.

Who It's For

This book is primarily for graduate students, researchers, and instructors in religious studies, sociology, and Chinese history who need a nuanced, source-based account of religion's role in social life. Its use of primary materials makes it a strong reference for thesis work and seminar reading lists.

General readers seeking a light introduction may find the book dense and scholarly; those audiences should look for more introductory overviews rather than this detailed, academic study.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Depth of primary-source research provides a convincing, document-backed account of religion in everyday Chinese life.
• Helpful conceptual separation of institutional and diffused religion clarifies often-muddled discussions.
• The treatment of temples and festivals as social infrastructure offers a useful analytic lens for comparative work.

Cons

• The scholarly tone and dense evidence can be challenging for non-specialists seeking a general overview.

Specifications

Title	Religion in Chinese Society
Subtitle	A Study of Contemporary Social Functions of Religion and Some of Their Historical Factors
Author	C. K. Yang
Subject areas	Religious Studies, Sociology, Chinese history
Approach	Document-based historical and sociological analysis
Primary sources used	Local gazetteers, temple inscriptions, popular mythological literature

Our Verdict

Religion in Chinese Society is a rigorous, well-documented study that repays careful reading; scholars and advanced students will value its archival grounding and conceptual clarity. It is good value for researchers who need a historically informed sociological account of how religion operates through family, community, and state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book based on primary sources?
Yes. Yang relies on local gazetteers, temple inscriptions, and popular mythological literature as primary evidence.

Does it cover Buddhism and Taoism?
Yes. The book treats institutional religions such as Buddhism and Taoism alongside diffused religious practices.

Is it suitable for beginners?
The book is scholarly and detailed, so beginners may prefer an introductory overview before tackling this study.