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"Transcendence"
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Bidirectional Transcendence in Confucianism: An Analysis Centered on the Concept of Jing
This paper proposes a comparative model of “bidirectional transcendence” in Confucian thought by reading the concept of jing (敬) against two kinds of human finitude: “no-more” of being and “not-yet” of being. Drawing on philological analysis of classical lexemes, close readings of Song–Ming Neo-Confucian texts, and a comparison with Western accounts of religious and philosophical transcendence, I show that jing generates two complementary responses. The first is an outward, historicizing form of transcendence—embodied in “revering Heaven and following ancestors” (jingtian fazu 敬天法祖)—which secures communal meaning and a this-worldly continuity of ethical life in the face of the “no-more.” The second is an inward, realm-oriented transcendence—articulated in “being serious in order to straighten one’s inner life” (jing yi zhi nei 敬以直內)—realized through self-cultivation (gongfu 工夫) and the integration of mind and the principle of Heaven, and oriented toward the “not-yet.” This bidirectional framework reconciles readings that cast Confucianism as either purely ethical or essentially religious, clarifies recurring comparative and translational pitfalls, and offers a concise, textually grounded basis for Sino–Western dialogue about varieties of transcendence and ultimate concern.
Journal Article
Spirituality and Religiosity—Do They Always Go Hand in Hand? The Role of Spiritual Transcendence in Predicting Centrality of Religiosity
Although spirituality and religiosity are related, they are not identical phenomena. Based on the results of previous research, we hypothesized that, of the two dimensions of spirituality—transcendence proper (TP) and spiritual openness (SO)—only the former would be a significant positive predictor of religiosity operationalized as centrality of religiosity (COR). This study included 343 participants aged 18 to 82 years (M = 32.18, SD = 10.84), who completed Scale of Spiritual Transcendence and Centrality of Religiosity Scale questionnaires. Structural equation modeling revealed that, when TP and SO were controlled for simultaneously, both predictors were significant. However, while the associations of TP with COR were strong and positive, SO turned out to be a significant but negative predictor of each aspect of COR. This suggests that spirituality can encompass elements that are negatively associated with traditional religiosity and supports the thesis that spirituality is a broader construct than religiosity.
Journal Article
“Circulations” and Self-Transcendence: A Comparative Study of Emerson and Zhuangzi
In this article, I begin with the topic of “circulations”, conducting a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in Emerson’s and Zhuangzi’s philosophies regarding “circulations” as the mode of cosmic generation and operation, as well as the relationship between “circulations” and self-transcendence. Furthermore, I explore the practical paths to achieve self-transcendence via circulations based on these two aspects. Specifically, both Emerson and Zhuangzi regard “circulations” as the fundamental way of cosmic generation and operation. However, Emerson emphasizes the directionality of “circulations”, where God generates all things through “emanation”, and all things return to God through “ascent”. In contrast, Zhuangzi emphasizes the characteristics of the Dao in generating all things, including its “cyclic repetition” (xun huan wang fu 循环往复) and “creating myriad forms” (zhi qi wan shu 制器万殊). The “Dao” that generates these “circulations” itself does not possess morality or divinity. Both of them believe that individuals can achieve self-transcendence by aligning with “circulations”. Regarding the specific practical paths, Emerson suggests that we can return to God through revelation, specifically via nature, poets, art, and vocation. On the other hand, Zhuangzi believes that we can achieve unity with the Dao by “following the Dao”, specifically through the life-nurturing method of “following the Du as a principle” (yuan du yi wei jing 缘督以为经) and the spiritual cultivation methods of “emptiness of mind-heart and selflessness” (xinzhai 心斋) and “sitting in oblivion” (zuowang 坐忘).
Journal Article
Can Skill Lead to Self-Transcendence in Zhuangzi?
Many scholars have claimed that the skills depicted by Zhuangzi can lead to self-transcendence of experiencing and attaining the Dao. However, this view is open to question. Based on a comprehensive reading of the received text of Zhuangzi, this paper attempts a comprehensive reinterpretation of its allegories of skills, including “Cook Ding Butchering an Ox”, “The Hunchback Catching Cicadas”, “The Ferryman Handling a Boat”, “The Man of Lüliang Swimming in the Torrent”, “Woodworker Qing Carving a Bell Stand”, “Artisan Chui Drawing Circles with His Fingers”, “Wheelwright Bian Chiseling Wheels”, “Bohun Wuren Demonstrating Archery”, and “The Old Metalworker Forging Weapons”. This study argues that the emphasis of these skill allegories is not on extolling skills but on pointing towards self-transcendence in a metaphorical way. Just as Mark Twain once likened an apple peel to the Mississippi River, the depiction of skilled performance and its contexts primarily serves as a vivid and illustrative vehicle for explaining self-transcendence rather than constituting self-transcendence itself. Logically speaking, exercising skills requires intentionality, whereas self-transcendence in Zhuangzi’s sense demands complete forgetfulness and a state of non-attachment. Since the states of intentionality and non-attachment are contradictory, the former does not necessarily enable the latter. Thus, the skill in Zhuangzi cannot directly lead to self-transcendence. The skill allegories in Zhuangzi represent the authors’ subjective elaborations, rooted in the focus and tacit understanding inherent in skill activities, and should not be interpreted in an overly mystical light.
Journal Article
The crisis of global modernity : Asian traditions and a sustainable future
\"In this major new study, Prasenjit Duara expands his influential theoretical framework to present circulatory, transnational histories as an alternative to nationalist history. Duara argues that the present day is defined by the intersection of three global changes: the rise of non-western powers, the crisis of environmental sustainability and the loss of authoritative sources of what he terms transcendence - the ideals, principles and ethics once found in religions or political ideologies. The physical salvation of the world is becoming - and must become - the transcendent goal of our times, but this goal must transcend national sovereignty if it is to succeed. Duara suggests that a viable foundation for sustainability might be found in the traditions of Asia, which offer different ways of understanding the relationship between the personal, ecological and universal. These traditions must be understood through the ways they have circulated and converged with contemporary developments\"-- Provided by publisher.
Book
A Practitioner Concept of Contemporary Creativity
This article reviews conceptualizations from three academic areas: the sociology of art, the psychology of creativity, and research on the cultural and creative industries. These are compared with findings from a critical discursive study with UK practitioners. The meanings and associations these maker artists attach to creativity are discussed as a practitioner concept. For the practitioners, the association of creativity with art carries a promise of transcendence and escape from ordinary life but also a potential challenge to their own entitlement and claims to a creative status. These findings demonstrate that the academic areas utilize different and conflicting conceptualizations and, second, that the practitioner concept is not consistent with any one of these. In conclusion, the contemporary celebration of creativity is based on different meanings and unacknowledged conflicts. Future social psychological research on creativity requires a more critical approach to the concept.
Journal Article