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Rethinking ”care“ as a religious practice of Daoism in Hong Kong

고은강 1 Ko, Chung Mee 2

1서울과학기술대학교
2성신여자대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This article focuses on the characteristics of care as depicted through the daily practices of Daoism observed in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Daoism is a widely-practiced religion. Visiting Daoist temples such as Wongtaisin, Fungyingseenkoon and Chingchongkun is part of the daily life of Hong Kong people. Activities of Hong Kong Daoism put more emphasis on care. This article is based on the assumption that the philosophy of care is directly related to Lüzuwujibaochan, a Daoist canonical text, which is largely used for rituals in the Quanzhen sect of Daoism in Hong Kong. Lüzuwujibaochan contains the teaching of Lüzu, one of the divines in the Quanzhen sect of Daoism. Lüzu's teaching focuses on the proper way a Daoist should practice Daoism. Following Lüzu's teaching, a Daoist should discover her own way to become divine. If she puts in constant effort into building a good character, she will be able to live a happy and healthy life and become divine after her death. Rituals convey Lüzu’s teaching to the Daoist priests and other participants singing the canonical text. By worshiping Lüzu, a Daoist is talking to herself about the fundamental goal: living a healthy life and becoming divine by practicing Daoism everyday.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.