{"product_id":"religion-in-chinese-society-a-scholarly-of-social-functions","title":"Religion in Chinese Society: A Scholarly of Social Functions","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComprehensive archival evidence:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yang draws on local gazetteers, temple inscriptions, and popular mythological literature to ground his arguments in historical documents and local practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClear distinction of forms:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book separates institutional religions like Buddhism and Taoism from diffused religion such as ancestral rites, clarifying different channels of religious influence on society.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on social infrastructure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Temples and festivals are treated as coordinating institutions that shape community organization and public life, not merely devotional sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical sensitivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yang links contemporary social functions to historical factors, helping readers see continuity and change across time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSociological perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e The study uses sociological concepts to explain how religious practices operate through secular institutions like the family and local governance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is primarily for graduate students, researchers, and instructors in \u003cstrong\u003ereligious studies\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeneral 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDepth of primary-source research provides a convincing, document-backed account of religion in everyday Chinese life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHelpful conceptual separation of institutional and diffused religion clarifies often-muddled discussions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe treatment of temples and festivals as social infrastructure offers a useful analytic lens for comparative work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe scholarly tone and dense evidence can be challenging for non-specialists seeking a general overview.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReligion in Chinese Society\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubtitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA Study of Contemporary Social Functions of Religion and Some of Their Historical Factors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eC. K. Yang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReligious Studies, Sociology, Chinese history\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDocument-based historical and sociological analysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary sources used\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLocal gazetteers, temple inscriptions, popular mythological literature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReligion 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book based on primary sources?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Yang relies on local gazetteers, temple inscriptions, and popular mythological literature as primary evidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it cover Buddhism and Taoism?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The book treats institutional religions such as Buddhism and Taoism alongside diffused religious practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it suitable for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is scholarly and detailed, so beginners may prefer an introductory overview before tackling this study.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"C.K. 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