Perspective Journeys

Singapore tour: Chinese "Religion"

What is "Chinese Religion”?

Is there a Chinese “Religion”?

How do you tell if a temple is Buddhist, Taoist, Confucianist?

What is Buddhism, Taoism and  Confucianism?

What is the relationship between the three?

How does Chinese notion of "religion" differs from the western concept?

This tour examines the nature of religion in Chinese culture and is relevant to Chinese societies over the world and  gives you an appreciation of Chinese religiosity.  

The Chinese term for "religion" Zhong Jiao was created in Japan in the early 1900s.

This term was subsequently exported to the rest of Asia and evolved to become religion as we understand it today. Although there is an official category call "Religion",  Chinese Religion remains fluid in practice.  

Due to this reason, there are many misconception on the issue of "Chinese religion".

Some say "Chinese Religion" is Taoism, or Ancestor Worship or Confucianism.

In some books, unfortunate and misguided statements were made, for example,

“This is a syncretic temple embracing paganism, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.” 

Similarly, Buddhism been referred to as a “Religion” and sometimes as a Philosophy.

So it is a religion or a philosophy?

How did this religion vs. philosophy debate arise?  

Some Chinese Deities are found in both Buddhist Monasteries and Taoist Temples.

How did this "sharing" come about?

What does Buddhist and Taoist think of this?

This tour takes you to temples and monasteries to explore the concept of “Religion” in traditional Chinese society and how it differs from the contemporary notion of religion.

The monasteries and temples visited during the tour illustrate the complications of this difference in concepts, how it unfolds in organization of “religious” institutions and in the creation of a "religious" identity. 

Within the broad definition of “religion” the tour explores the main elements of "Chinese Religion” and how these elements relate to each other. More importantly, how these concepts influence the seeing and being of individuals and their interaction with “others”.

This tour offers a new perspective to understand the nature of belief systems, its influence on social behavior and its interaction with diversity.

This program can be a tour by itself or part of a tour to produce a personalized program to suit your interests.

For a list of other popular topics, please see: Tours / Topics

All Perspective Journeys programs are presented in non technical language (No complicated jargon!) and will take into account your background and interests.

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