Theme: 7. Multiple Ontologies: Religiosities, Philosophies, Languages and Society

Worship in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism

Panel Convenor(s)

• MK

  Mei-kao Kow

  Formerly with the Department of Chinese Studies , National University of Singapore, Singapore

Panel Chair(s)

• CW

  Chee Meng Wong

  former NTU postdoc, Singapore

Presenter(s)

• MK

  Mei-kao Kow

  Formerly with the Department of Chinese Studies , National University of Singapore, Singapore
• CW

  Chee Meng Wong

  former NTU postdoc, Singapore
• JB

  Junfang Bai

  Xi'an University of Technology, China

 

The panel consists of three paper presentations. The first two papers are each on a Chinese deity. For the first deity, the God of wealth, the paper traces the evolution of God's nature to its present stabilized state, using the god in Xi'an temples and supplemented with documents as a case study. The second study is on Hua Guang, the God of Fire, based on the fictional text Journey to the South. An examination from a Theravada viewpoint vividly reveals the god's exact origins. The amalgamation nature of Chinese religion leads to a third paper on the future development of Chinese religion, especially in Singapore. It seeks a dialogue with another global religion, Islam, to see how these religions can coexist harmoniously. The exploration may provide a guide for future directions. Field work will be carried out in Singapore and elsewhere.

Presentations:

• 14:00 – 15:45 (GMT+7)

  On the Fire God Hua Guang with special reference to the Novella Journey to the South
  

  Presenter: Mei-kao Kow – Formerly with the Department of Chinese Studies , National University of Singapore
• 14:00 – 15:45 (GMT+7)

  Singapore’s Confucian Society in Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue
  

  Presenter: Chee Meng Wong – former NTU postdoc
• 14:00 – 15:45 (GMT+7)

  On The Legends and Significance of Xi'an's God of Wealth , Zhao Gongming
  

  Presenter: Junfang Bai – Xi'an University of Technology