CHL Hosts ‘The Dao and the Dharma: An International Symposium on Chinese Religious Literature’ to Advance Interdisciplinary Research and Foster HK’s Emergence as a Sinological Hub

The Department of Chinese Language Studies (CHL) at the Faculty of Humanities held an international event entitled ‘The Dao and the Dharma: An International Symposium on Chinese Religious Literature’ from 26 to 27 May 2026. Scholars and specialists from Chinese Mainland; Taiwan, China; Japan; the United States; 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 provided 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, namely Prof Stephen R. Bokenkamp, Prof Hsiao Li-hua, Prof James Robson, Prof Lee Fong-mao, and Prof Vincent Goossaert. Their studies map out the complex interplay and mutual enrichment between religion 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 offered 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; and religious imagery and cultural memory. The presenters strove to explore in what ways religious thoughts interact with Chinese literature and enhance its aesthetic appeal. Their work provides insights into recovering the vitality and allure of religious literature and exemplifies interdisciplinary research.
 

 

CHL 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