Sixth Tone Agora is a series of public events, including lectures and expert roundtables, organized by Sixth Tone. It is an opportunity to meet and engage with some of contemporary China’s most interesting and innovative thinkers, academics, and writers.
Thanks to a partnership with Duoyun Books, Sixth Tone Agora will be held at Duoyun’s flagship store in the Shanghai Tower. Situated on the 52nd floor of the world’s second highest building, Duoyun offers magnificent views of Shanghai and an inspiring space for cultural and intellectual exchanges.
The next Agora event will take place from 14:00 p.m. to 16:00 p.m., September 3, 2022. Zhu Yiwen, a research assistant at the Shanghai Center for the Studies of Religion and Culture, will give a talk on the modernization of Daoism, China’s oldest religion.
The lecture is in English. Slots must be reserved in advance. Entry fee: 40 yuan. The fee will be refunded as a coupon for the store’s café.
Abstract:
As the only religion native to China, Daoism is typically viewed through the lens of “ancient” or “traditional” culture. In the modern era, it’s been labeled “superstition.” In order to adapt to the demands of modern society, the contemporary Taoist community has worked in recent years to make this 2,000-year-old religious tradition understandable and relatable to contemporary Chinese. Yet, most of these attempts have been limited to packaging Daoism with modern technology, rather than modernizing its doctrine and teachings. How does one become an “immortal” in today’s day and age? Can the taboo against women entering temples and attending pujas during their periods be lifted? And what, if any, compromises should Taoist priests make to the demands of modernity?
SPEAKER: Zhu Yiwen
Zhu Yiwen is a research assistant at the Shanghai Center for the Studies of Religion and Culture. She holds a Ph.D. degree from The University of Hong Kong. Zhu’s research focuses on Chinese indigenous religions, especially the history of Taoist rituals and the relationship between Taoism and folk beliefs and contemporary society.
* Audiences are required to scan the place code, present 72-hour negative nucleic acid certificate, screenshot of successful event registration, and take body temperature upon admission.
* Audiences are requested to wear a mask throughout the participation period.
Scan the QR code to make a reservation and find out more about the event.
