Religious Comparison and Dialogue (Volume 6)

Author: Zhu Xinping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: In its early days, the study of religion was once called "comparative religious studies," and this spirit and method were preserved as one of the true essence of religious studies. The renowned founder of Western religious studies, Max Müller, once said, "Who knows only one religion knows nothing at all." This famous quote fully illustrates the significance and importance of comparative religious studies. To study religion, one must engage in comparative analysis. In the contemporary context of "globalization" and the "global village," the existence and development of religion itself also require comparison, communication, and dialogue among each other, seeking harmonious coexistence and unity through mutual understanding. From the long history of religious development, the 20th century has been the most typical century for "religious dialogue" since ancient times. For example, Christianity began its "dialogue with the East" in the early 20th century, inspired and enlightened by the study of religion, to seek an understanding and appreciation of Eastern spirituality and Eastern mysticism, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Since the 1960s, Christianity has further moved from emphasizing dialogue, reconciliation, universality, and unity among its various denominations to engaging in dialogue and exchange with all other religions, beliefs, political ideologies, and even various social movements. Religious dialogue has expanded from internal dialogues among different religions and sects to broad dialogues between religion and society, religion and politics, religion and philosophy, and religion and science. It is precisely in this sense that the wise minds in the religious community recognize that "without dialogue among religions, there can be no peace among religions, and thus no peace among civilizations or peace in the world." They take "religious dialogue" as a starting point to explore the creation of a "global ethics" or "world ethics" that can establish a new world order, thereby elevating the meaning of "dialogue." Therefore, "dialogue" has been one of the most resonant slogans of the 20th century, and "religious dialogue" is a major event in the development of contemporary world religions.