【Lecture Series on the Interdisciplinary Research Project of Buddhism and Psychology】
Session 3: From Making a Mountain out of a Molehill to Making a Molehill out of a Mountain: A Record of Microcosmic Exploration in Religious Studies
◆Speaker: Prof. Soong Wen-li (Professor Emeritus, National Tsing Hua University)
◆Time: Nov 16, 2022 (Wed) 1:10 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
◆Venue: Room N109, Yun-shui Building, Fo Guang University
⊙Abstract: Whether "making a mountain out of a molehill" (treating a small topic with great significance) or "making a molehill out of a mountain" (distilling a vast topic into a specific focus), the key point lies in micro-methodology.
Session 3: From Making a Mountain out of a Molehill to Making a Molehill out of a Mountain: A Record of Microcosmic Exploration in Religious Studies
◆Speaker: Prof. Soong Wen-li (Professor Emeritus, National Tsing Hua University)
◆Time: Nov 16, 2022 (Wed) 1:10 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
◆Venue: Room N109, Yun-shui Building, Fo Guang University
⊙Abstract: Whether "making a mountain out of a molehill" (treating a small topic with great significance) or "making a molehill out of a mountain" (distilling a vast topic into a specific focus), the key point lies in micro-methodology.
For religious studies, the "microcosmic" approach represents a mode of thinking quite distinct from traditional research focused on doctrines, scriptures, religious history, or organizational structures. This lecture will discuss a meta-methodology of religious studies, integrating and connecting research on the "Dish Fairy" (Chinese Ouija board) with research on I-Kuan Tao.
Research on the "Dish Fairy" is a specific study of divination. Since the "Dish Fairy" is a divination game akin to children's play, some consider such trivial skills unworthy of academic study. For this reason, I proceeded with my religious research using I-Kuan Tao as a subject. By employing developed micro-research methods, I selected the "Spirit Writing/Mediumship Ritual" (Jieqiao) as an entry point amidst a myriad of complex issues.
