Vital Post-Secular Perspectives on Chinese Philosophical Issues presents a number of contemporary philosophical issues from a wide range of Chinese philosophical texts, figures, and sub-traditions that are usually not addressed in English studies of Chinese philosophical traditions. Lauren F. Pfister presents new perspectives in three parts: the first part offers critical perspectives on the life and works of one of the most significant 20th century Chinese philosophers and historian of Chinese philosophical traditions, Feng Youlan (1895-1990); the second part explores questions related to Ruist (“Confucian”) theism and the complicated textual developments within two canonical Ruist texts, ending with a critique of a 21st century translation and interpretation of one of those two classical texts; the third part presents philosophical assessments of 20th and 21st century cultural issues that have had immense social and interpretive impacts in contemporary Chinese contexts – Chinese utopian projects, Chinese netizens in “Human Flesh Searches,” and questions about the links between sageliness and saintliness in Ruist and Christian communities.

Shrouded in mystery for centuries, Soma is simultaneously a sacred hallucinogenic plant, a personified God, and a cosmological principle. With the renewed interest in the ritual use of psychoactive substances, shamanism, and alternative modalities of healing, Soma provides an important key to understanding the earliest systemized methods of medicine, psychology, magic, rejuvenation, longevity, and alchemy.

Most writing on modern China dwells on those aspects which are new to China since the Communist takeover, stressing above all politics, Marxism, economic and agricultural development. First published in 1985, Modern China argues that all this writing creates a false impression of what present-day China is really like. This book contends that much of traditional China remains, particularly at the grass-roots level and that Buddhism and the Buddhist tradition continue to exert an influence. Politics in communist China is best understood in the context of this tradition. Throughout arguments are supported by revealing how tradition continues in the economy, in society and the family; by examining in detail the Buddhist tradition; and by using the case study of education to show the interplay between modern and customary forces.