Confucianism as a World Religion

Is Confucianism a philosophy, a political ideology, or something more? This question has puzzled thinkers for centuries. Get the definitive answer and discover why understanding Confucianism as a living, breathing religion is crucial to grasping modern East Asian culture and global politics. You'll explore the fascinating history of how Confucianism was shaped, suppressed, and revived, from ancient dynasties to its modern resurgence. Uncover the rituals, sacred texts, and community practices that reveal its true religious core and see how it continues to influence millions of lives today.

Anna Sun is Professor of Religious Studies and Sociology at Duke University and a leading scholar on the sociology of religion and modern Confucianism. Her upbringing in both China and the United States gave her a unique, cross-cultural perspective, inspiring her to challenge Western-centric views of religion. This lifelong inquiry into how societies define the sacred culminated in her groundbreaking work, revealing Confucianism’s rich and complex identity as a global faith tradition in the contemporary world.