RELIGIOUS STUDIES IN CHINESE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC AT THE END OF XX – AT THE BEGINNING OF XXI CENTURIES: PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Purpose. The article is concerned with the problems of investigations in religious studies’ sphere in China at the end of XX – at the beginning of XXI centuries, it uncovers positive trends in religion’s explorations and the condition of religious studies in a whole for deeper understanding of the analogical processes of the transformations of theoretical methods in other scientific areas. Methodology. The work is fulfilled in the base of dialectical, phenomenological, hermeneutic, anthropological, historical-materialistic, and critical-ideological methods of investigations. Results. The article shows the results of the religious studies and their range, gives the short analysis of the effects of western ideas to the development of Chinese religious studies and the correlation of the rapid development of religious studies in China and the attitude of the government and Communistic Party of China to the religious studies and the existence of religious phenomena in socialistic society. It’s pointed out that after policy of reforms and openness at the end of XX – at the beginning of XXI centuries in China the dynamic of society’s development opens the widest perspectives for religion’s investigations, the government of Chinese People’s Republic undertakes the measures for the support of Chinese religious studies. Nowadays in Chinese academic field religious studies have become freer and more active, religious investigations constantly increase. Practical implications. The investigation of the transformation theoretical and methodological bases in humanities after policy of reforms and openness at the end of XX – at the beginning of XXI centuries in China.