Decolonising the Study of Religion (Routledge Studies in Asian Religion and Philosophy) - Softcover

Borup, Jørn

Softcover

ISBN 10: 103259344X ISBN 13: 9781032593449

Publisher: Routledge, 2025

Synopsis

Decolonising the Study of Religion analyses historical and contemporary discussions in the study of religion and Buddhism and critically investigates representations, possibilities, and challenges of a decolonial approach, addressing the important question: who owns Buddhism?

The monograph offers a case-based perspective with which to examine the general study of religion, where new challenges require reflection and prospects for new directions. It focuses on Buddhism, one religion which has been studied in the West for centuries. Building on postcolonial theories and supplemented with a critical analysis of identity and postsecular engagement, the book offers new possibilities and challenges to the study of religion. It critically investigates decolonisation in the study of religion, subscribing to a third way between ‘objectivist’ and ‘subjectivist’ positions.

Analysing the postcolonial and decolonial critique of the study of religion, with a particular focus on Buddhist studies in the West and in Japan, this book will be of interest to researchers in the field of Religious Studies, Buddhism, Japanese religions, anthropology, Asian Studies and those interested in religion and decolonisation.

About this title

About the Author

Jørn Borup is Associate Professor in the Department of the Study of Religion at Aarhus University, Denmark.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 103259344X
• ISBN 13: 9781032593449
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 222