Format:
1 Online-Ressource (xiv, 243 pages)
,
illustrations (some color)
ISBN:
9789004231320
Content:
Preliminary Material -- Introduction: The Second Golden Age of Chinese Buddhism in Taiwan -- Research Approach and Methods -- The History of Tzu Chi: Organization, Leadership and Public Responses -- Teachings and Practices: Altruism and Morality Become a Way of Life -- The ‘New Middle Class’: The Social Composition of the Tzu Chi Membership -- Becoming a Disciple: The Recruiting Strategy of Tzu Chi -- Tzu Chi’s Organizational Structure and the Process of Socialization -- The Appeal of Tzu Chi Buddhism -- Does Tzu Chi Meet the Expectations of Current Sociological Theory? -- Afterword -- Appendix -- Bibliography -- Index.
Content:
This book is the first comprehensive sociological account and in-depth analysis of a new Chinese Buddhist movement, known as Tzu Chi (otherwise, the Buddhist Compassion Merit Society). Based in Taiwan, it was founded in 1966 and still led by a female Buddhist master – Master Cheng Yen. Its members are laity, and women play a major role. The main focus of the movement is medical charity – to ease and if possible prevent suffering and to teach ethics to the wealthy; at the same time, it also offers members a religion and a way of life. Recruitment typically attracts people from the urban middle class. With some 3.5 million members and a very low drop-out rate, Tzu Chi is extraordinarily successful, and has spread to other parts of the world, not least mainland China where it is attracting the attention of the general public and the media. The book stands in the Anglo-American tradition of the sociology of religion; it also draws on the author’s knowledge of Buddhist history. The data come from participant observation and many long interviews. It will be of particular interest to students of new religious movements, religious studies in contemporary China, and studies in ethics and social change in East Asia
Note:
Includes bibliographical references and index
Additional Edition:
ISBN 9789004217478
Additional Edition:
Erscheint auch als Druck-Ausgabe Taiwan's Tzu Chi as Engaged Buddhism: Origins, Organization, Appeal and Social Impact Leiden, Boston : Global Oriental, 2012 ISBN 9789004217478
Language:
English
Subjects:
Theology
DOI:
10.1163/9789004231320
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