EdUHK’s Department of Chinese Language Studies Hosts ‘The Dao and the Dharma: An International Symposium on Chinese Religious Literature’ to Advance Interdisciplinary Research Imbued with a Global Vision

EdUHK’s Department of Chinese Language Studies Hosts ‘The Dao and the Dharma: An International Symposium on Chinese Religious Literature’ to Advance Interdisciplinary Research Imbued with a Global Vision

The Department of Chinese Language Studies at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) held an international event entitled ‘The Dao and the Dharma: An International Symposium on Chinese Religious Literature’ between May 26th and 27th, 2026. Scholars and specialists from Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, China, Japan, the United States of America, Australia, and France joined hands with EdUHK scholars at the Tai Po Campus to engage in in-depth discussions on Chinese Buddhist and Daoist literary writings. Dealing with topics such as Buddhist and Daoist scriptures, sectarian doctrines, and hagiographies, the Symposium proffered a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue between religious studies and literary studies, whereby participants explored some uncharted scholarly directions and methodology.

The Symposium featured five keynote speeches by internationally renowned scholars. The presentations spanned across multiple themes, including Buddho-Daoist interactions, textual origins of ideas, scriptural exegeses, and hagiographies. Professor Stephen R. Bokenkamp discussed the dynamic, and at times symbiotic, relationship between Buddhist and Daoist literature. Professor Hsiao Li-hua traced the multiple origins of Chinese Buddhist literature. Professor James Robson examined the Buddhist roots of inner alchemy in medieval Chinese literature. Professor Lee Fong-mao elucidated the Daoist doctrines embedded in the deep structure of Journey to the West. Professor Vincent Goossaert made astute observations on the literary persona of gods in the thought-to-be spirit-written texts. These studies map out the complex interplay and mutual enrichment between religions and literature and, in so doing, set a new model for literature-oriented religious studies and interdisciplinary scholarship.

The Symposium included eight panel sessions on a large variety of topics, including the interrelationship between Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, interpretations of doctrinal and ritual texts and their literary values, transmission of religions and cross-cultural dissemination of doctrines. These papers offer multiple perspectives and insights on topics, such as Buddho-Daoist interactions, narrative strategies of writings preserved in Dunhuang manuscripts, compilation and literary presentation of hagiographies and prophetic writings in the Tripiṭaka and Daoist canon, self-cultivation and gender perspectives in Chan-Buddhism, religious imagery and cultural memory. The presenters strove to explore in what way religious thoughts interact with Chinese literature and enhance its aesthetic appeal. Their work guides us to recover the vitality and allure of religious literature and exemplifies interdisciplinary research.

Professor Timothy Wai Keung Chan, Head of Department of Chinese Language Studies-cum-convenor of the International Symposium, pointed out in the welcome speech that the event would demonstrate how one could perceive and delve into the nuanced understanding of ‘religio-literary literature’ and ‘literary religion’. The employment of innovative methodology and use of texts, most of which have remained understudied, in the papers demonstrates new pathways for interdisciplinary research. He expressed hope for continuous efforts to advance this kind of scholarship and turn Hong Kong into a new hub for Sinological and interdisciplinary study.

Department of Chinese Language Studies holds ‘The Dao and the Dharma: An International Symposium on Chinese Religious Literature’.

Leading scholars in the studies of Chinese religious literature from around the world gather at EdUHK.

Professor Timothy Wai Keung Chan, Head of Department of CHL-cum-convener,expresses hope for turning Hong Kong into a new hub for Sinology.

Professor James Robson, Director of the Harvard-Yenching Institute,reveals the unexpected Buddhist roots of the Daoist practice of inner alchemy.

Professor Hsiao Li-hua, Professor Emeritus at Fo Guang University, traces the multiple origins of Chinese Buddhist literature.