Last week, on my way home from giving two days of lectures at Taylor University, I had the opportunity to visit the Center on Religion and Chinese Society, at Purdue University in Lafayette, IN. Under the direction of Dr. Fenggang Yang, the Center conducts scholarly research on religion in Chinese society (and among the Chinese diaspora) and seeks to be a bridge between Chinese and American scholars interested in the study of religion in China.
Dr. Yang organized a “zuotan” (informal discussion – literally “sit talk”) with the staff and visiting scholars at the center, and asked me to share some of my experiences and observations as a foreign Christian in China for nearly three decades, as well as the work of ChinaSource.
It was also great to hear about the various research projects the scholars are working on, including the study of Chinese Christian entrepreneurs, the study of religious tourism in China, and the study of folk religions.
Here are a couple of photos, graciously provided by the Center:
In discussion
With Dr. Yang
Photo Credit: Center on Religion and Chinese Society, Purdue University
Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
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