Bulletin No. 1, 2010

Humanities · Humanity · Humankind  15 Chinese academic circles,’ noted Prof. Lai Chi- tim, director of the centre. Knowledge of Daoism, as of any other religion, also deepens our experience of what it means to be human. ‘Unlike evangelical religions stressing crusading and personal conversion, Daoism, being indigenous, addresses the needs of daily life such as cures for illnesses, as well as burial and funerary requirements. What should be done at burials and funerals so there can be salvation for the deceased? How should ceremonies be conducted at Tai Ping Qing Jiao so that the villagers will be protected?’ explained Professor Lai. Blessed with the triple advantage of Chinese culture, international scope and local context, the centre has very established undergraduate, master and PhD curricula. Its doctoral graduates are now teaching at universities in Macau, mainland China and Taiwan. It is going to publish a book on a little studied topic—historical development and transformation of Daoism in modern Hong Kong society. The centre’s research has a regional focus on Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. It is currently partnering with Kyoto University on an ambitious project involving 35 Daoist scholars from all over the world. The project involves studying and writing abstracts in Chinese and English for a three-and-a-half- volume post-Qing Daoist canon. The centre is also collaborating with Sun Yat-sen University to collect temple inscriptions found in 13 prefectures in Guangdong.