Institute of Religion, Science and Social Studies

 SDU commencement of 2006 and 9 graduates of IRSSS earned MA or PhD degrees

Morning of 25^th June 2006, SDU celebrated the commencement of graduated students in this year. Professor Zhu Zhengchang, and Professor Zhan Tao, President of SDU and chairman of committee of degrees of SDU, attended the commencement and issued certification of Master or PhD degree to every graduate.

Professor Jiang Sheng was invited to address in the name of all mentors of SDU. He congratulated every graduate and encouraged them to devote academic research, join in competition and cooperation with international academia, work for the better future of our country, and exceed their teachers and themselves in their respective research enterprise. 

On the commencement, five PhD applicants and four Master ones of IRSSS formally earned their academic degrees. Among them, four students chose Daoism and Science study as topic of their dissertations. They are

Doctor Chen Zhaoyin (Taiwan):  A Study on the Celestial Structure of early organized Daoism;

Docotor Zhen Peng: A study of Daoist Master Li Mingche of Qing Dynasty and his Science Achievement;

Master Wan Fayong: On the Daoist Techniques of Dormancy;

Master Zhao Min: On the Daoist Techniques of Diet from Wei and Jin Dynasties to Tang and Song Dynasties;

Beside their dissertations, MA student Cao Xiuwei wrote a dissertation with topic on Medicine in Chinese Buddhism and got her degree this time.

“The History of Science and Technology in Taoism (Vol.1)” Won Excellent Comment on the Evaluation Report as a National Key Project. Evaluation by China’s National Planning Office of Philosophy and Social Sciences

In February 2006, China’s National Planning Office of Philosophy and Social Sciences (NPOPSS) issued report of final evaluation.  National Key Project “The History of Science and Technology in Taoism, Vol. From Han to Jin Dynasties”, presided by Professor Jiang Sheng, was given an “excellent” comment and was notably introduced in this report.

In the second part of this report, it said, “to be emphasized here, some fruition gained important influence in international academia. For example, Professor Jiang Sheng who presided national Key Project the History of Science and Technology in Daoism, Vol. From Han to Jin Dynasties, won the GPSS（The Global Perspectives on Science and Spirituality）award because of his prominent research on Daoism and Science. His achievement is not only an honour of Chinese academia of philosophy and social science, but also plays an important role to carry forward our excellent traditional culture.”

In third part, introduction of some excellent works, it comments, The History of Science and Technology in Daoism, Vol. From Han to Jin Dynasties, presided by Professor Jiang Sheng. His work is an comprehensive study, combining the scientific thoughts and technological achievements of Daoism in chapters of scientific thoughts, alchemy and chemistry, medicine, astronomy and geography, physics and mechanics, which expounds profoundly and clearly the development of Chinese Daoist technological civilization. Professor Xi Zezong, famous astronomer and member of Chinese Academy of Science, acclaims with these words: this work in combination with Joseph Needham’s Science and Civilisation in China and Lu Jiaxi’s The History of Science and Technology in China “like three arrows simultaneously shot at a single target”.

“The Harmony between Science and Religion”

On Oct. 4, 2005, American scholar Mr. Zhang Guodong gave an academic lecture on “The Harmony between Science and Religion” in the Institute of Religion, Science and Social Studies. The lecture is presided by Professor Jiang Sheng. Mr. Zhang’s speech was constitutive of three parts. First, he believes that science should be universal; the Western traditional thinking belongs to analysis-type thinking, whereas Chinese traditional thinking is comprehensive. Both are scientific. New theories appeared in the Western countries, such as quantum theory, complex system science and so on; adopt the integrated way of thinking. That is an evidence of this correctness of problems. Secondly, religion is also universal. Although there are divergences among different religions, they have a few common views, e.g. most of which worship God (in their own term) and own mysterious in different extent. In the third part, Mr. Zhang said, science and religion are harmonious. Religion might be full of superstitions without science, while science might cause lack of morals without religion, thus each will undermine the development of self and bring danger not welfare to human.

“Solicitude for Life and Death & Science”By Professor Ou Chongjing, Taiwan Nanhua University

On 7th, November 2005, Dr. Ou Chongjing, Taiwan Nanhua University, gave a high-level and wonderful lecture to students. Dr. Ou Chongjing is Director of the Research Center of World Zen, Taiwan Nanhua University, and Director of the Research Center of Sino-Japan Thoughts. The lecture was presided by Professor Jiang Sheng, Director of IRSSS, ShanDong University, Professor Su Weizhi, Curator of SDU library, attended.

In his lecture Professor Ou explicated his research from the nine fields, including solicitude for dying, directing of sorrow status, pressure releasing, the study of psyche, the study of suicide, and treatment of console, the pursuit significance of life and ritual of belief. Professor Ou also introduced his original opinions of euthanasia, death with dignity and donation of human organs.

“Research Methods of Daoist Studies” By Dr. Louis Komjathy

On 9th, November, 2005, at Classroom 339 of Building of Literature & History, Dr. Louis Komjathy, Associate Professor of IRSSS, SDU, PhD of Boston University, gave a lecture to introduce the survey and the research methods on Daoist studies for graduates of Grade 2005 of the School of History and Culture, Shandong University.

Doctor Komjathy narrated the brief history of Daoist studies. He points out, the earliest people engaged in oversea Daoism studies were British, Frenchmen and Japanese, and therefore, France and Japan cast strong influence on the Daoist studies in early stage. From then on many Chinese historians and American scholars begin to study Daoism. Along with the evolution of Chinese religious tradition for two thousand of years, Daoism has become a global phenomenon of religion and culture. In Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam etc., more and more people from various ethnics and beliefs were attracted into Daoist studies.

Then Dr. Komjathy introduced, in traditional method of Daoist studies, Chinese cultural and historical knowledge is basically important. A researcher of Daoism should have strong lingual ability to read some original materials, such as Daoist manuscripts, epigraphs and historical literatures. Furthermore, researchers ought to understand those Chinese cultural and historical phenomena concerning Daoism. He believes that Daoism being a global phenomenon of religion, we should not confine Daoist studies into Chinese culture and history, and ought to utilize those theories, methods and knowledge, which invented from multi-discipline religion researches, such as methods of anthropology, archaeology and sociology.

At last Dr. Komjathy insists that religious studies is composed of researches on religious doctrines, rituals, organization, history, practice, experience and holiness. In order to success in those studies, one should acquaint oneself with concerned languages, history and culture of East Asia. At the same time it is also necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of religious doctrines, anthropology, history, literature and philosophical ideas.

“Daoism and Science” lecture By Professor Jiang Sheng

On 17^th, December, invited by Shandong Jiaotong College, Professor Jiang Sheng, as a guest speaker, attended “Yingshan Forum on Humanities”, and gave a lecture on “Daoism and Science”. Many teachers and students of this College warmly welcomed his speech.

International Seminar on Carrying Forward Laozi Culture held at Henan Province

On 10th to 11th, November, 2005, Naturalness · Harmony · Development as its theme, International Seminar on Carrying forward Laozi Culture was held at Luoyi County, Zhoukou City, Henan Province, where is hometown of Laozi, the founder of Philosophical Daoism. Professor Jiang Sheng was invited to attend the Seminar. This Seminar on Laozi was sponsored cooperatively by UNESCO, CASS (Chinese Academy of Social Science), Beijing University, and Henan Congress of Political Consultation. During this seminar converge more than 130 experts and scholars specializing in the studies of Laozi’s Philosophical Daoism from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign countries.

Professor Jiang Sheng gave an important speech at the Seminar, seeing emphatically the fundamental relationship of Confucianism and Philosophical Daoism from the ideal of sages, he beholds that Confucianism and Philosophical Daoism derives from seeking “Dao of sages” in the very ancient China. Laozi stressed reaching the Sage’s Bourn by cultivating oneself according to Dao; while Confucius insisted reaching the Sage’s Bourn by cultivating one’s morality. Confucianism and Philosophical Daoism preach different doctrines, but both appeal to the same gist. We should not only set eyes on the interfluves of Confucianism and Philosophical Daoism, but also pay attention to their inherent correlation and intercommunity. In his speech Professor Jiang Sheng analyzed certain differences comparing Guodian郭店bumboo manuscript Laozi，Mawangdui馬王堆silk manuscript Laozi and Heshanggong Zhangju Laozi, and put forward the issues of the possible links between the variance of Philosophical Daoism’s classics and the change of the political position of Philosophical Daoism after the Lawsuit of Huainan 淮南 in the reign of Emperor Wu in Han Dynasty. Professor Jiang Sheng’s innovative opinions received the intensive concerns and aroused the resonance in the attending scholars of the Seminar. Many scholars made deeper conversations and discussions with Professor Jiang Sheng.

Annual Meeting of American Academy of Religion held in Philadelphia

From 18^th to 21^st, November, Dr. Jiang Sheng and Dr. Louis Komjathy, from IRSSS, attended the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion (www.aarweb.org) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This meeting was a historic one because it was the first time that AAR approved and supported an independent group for the study of Daoism. Louis Komjathy went as Chair of the Daoist Studies Consultation and Jiang Sheng was invited to present as a guest speaker.

The formation of the Daoist Studies Consultation was spear-headed by Louis Komjathy, who served as Chair during 2004-2005 and currently serves as Co-chair. The Steering Committee consists of Suzanne Cahill (University of California, San Diego), Jonathan Herman (Georgia State University), James Miller (Queen’s University), Harold Roth (Brown University), and Elijah Siegler (College of Charleston). The guiding motivation for the Daoist Studies Consultation is to create an independent gathering place for the field of Daoist Studies, for investigating the religious tradition that is concerned to Daoism and related topics.

This year the AAR Daoist Studies Consultation sponsored two panels. The first panel, entitled “Ritual, Temple, and Power in Later Daoism,” was co-sponsored with the Chinese Religions Group. It took place on Saturday, November 19. The second panel was the first independent meeting of the Daoist Studies Consultation, thus represented the formal inauguration of the DSC. Organized by Louis Komjathy, the panel was entitled “Daoist Studies: Problems and Prospects.” It took place on November 20^th, Prof. Jiang Sheng from Shandong University issued his paper “Daoist Studies in China: Problems and Prospects”.

In terms of the members of the Institute of Religion, Science and Social Studies who attended the conference, a number of noteworthy characteristics stand out. First, Louis Komjathy’s appointment in and participation with the IRSSS, and the attendance of the conference by Jiang Sheng and Louis Komjathy, represents a new level of Chinese-American involvement in Daoist Studies and perhaps a new model for cooperative scholarship. We look forward to the fruition of this cooperation in the years to come.

Secondly, Jiang Sheng’s inclusion as a prominent member of the field of Daoist Studies in China added an important dimension to a conference often dominated by Euro-American and European scholars. It enabled members of American Daoist Studies to gain insights into the current state of the field in China. In addition, it provided Jiang Sheng with some new ideas about other possible research questions and programs. Jiang Sheng’s presentation also included information on the current status of the institute’s study of Daoism in Shandong, including newly discovered sacred sites and material culture. Many members in attendance discussed these exciting dimensions of Daoist Studies with Jiang Sheng following his presentation. It seems likely that this will lead to many opportunities for academic and cultural exchange in the future.

For Louis Komjathy, the inaugural meeting of the Daoist Studies Consultation represented a new milestone for the field. In addition to creating a formal, annual and independent meeting place for members of Daoist Studies, it also signaled a possible sea-change: new methodologies were presented and discussed, and broader parameters for the field were proposed and advocated. As stated in his inaugural address: “Daoism is a Chinese religious tradition which has been continually modified and transformed for some two thousand years and which is currently in the process of globalization…. The field of Daoist Studies, conventionally associated with Sinology, textual study and Chinese area studies, is now expanding to include other theoretical and methodological approaches: anthropology, archaeology, comparative religious studies, cultural studies, intellectual history, material culture studies, philosophy, sociology, women’s studies, and so forth…In addition to historical and textual approaches, the Daoist Studies Consultation recognizes the importance of considering Daoism as a global religion, the history of the study of Daoism, as well as dominant and alternative interpretative models.” For Louis Komjathy, and for many members of the Steering Committee, the DSC embodies an important forum for presenting, exploring, and discussing alternative and innovative approaches to the study of “Daoism” beyond the often stagnant confines of hyper-historicism and textualism. With the participation and support of members of the field, it is hoped that the AAR Daoist Studies Consultation will become one of the main gathering places for the emerging field of Daoist Studies, both in North America and throughout the world.

International Journal RENAISCIENCE to be published

The International academic journal (annually) Renaiscience vol.1 (2006), which is sponsored by IRSSS, SDU, will be published in Hong Kong. Renaiscience, being the first periodical of such type in china, will specialize in issuing the articles concerning “religion and science”. The publishing of this journal will put forward greatly the development of relative academic studies, and will facilitate the academia’s communication and cooperation both china and abroad.

 TV Program “The Tao of Science”（《原道》Yuan Dao）on the way

On 24^th, December 2005, IRSSS invited three famous professors from School of Historical Culture and four from members of IRSSS held a meeting to discuss about the script of TV program “Daoism and science”. Professor Jiang Sheng presided the meeting. At the meeting attendees expressed their opinions freely. After a live discussion about content of the script and formed a common view on the outline. Hence the production of TV program “Daoism and science”, which is an important part of GPSS Project taken on by IRSSS, formally began to be framed. As for the detail content of script, four teams will be set up respectively in Shanghai, Beijing, Jinan and Chengdu, and will finalize the manuscript after full discussions.