Biodiversity and tropical forests play a fundamental role in the life of the black people of Africa. In Benin, while some aspects of this role are well-documented, others are barely known. Moreover, these information ...Biodiversity and tropical forests play a fundamental role in the life of the black people of Africa. In Benin, while some aspects of this role are well-documented, others are barely known. Moreover, these information remains so far very scattered through the literature which does not allow to have a global view on the contribution of biodiversity and forests to the life of people. In this work, it is presented the role of forests and biological diversity in the main vital areas of life of populations in south of Benin. The methodology used was based, with regard to the field, on bibliographical research, observation and/or field stakeholder survey. Investigations are more particularly focused on hardwood lumber uses and the species that are significantly used. The results highlight the uses that are made of vegetal elements of biological diversity and timber as forest products in south of Benin. The main areas explored are animist or traditional religion and traditional medicine, as well as socio-cultural and economic life. In this latter area, the most used timber species and their uses are identified; these include furniture, light carpentry, sculpture, formwork, canoe construction, drums and mortar making.展开更多
In this paper, I seek to develop a framework within which to investigate the place of religious traditions in modem, global society. Economic and political modemity--globalization, the nation-state, and the developmen...In this paper, I seek to develop a framework within which to investigate the place of religious traditions in modem, global society. Economic and political modemity--globalization, the nation-state, and the development of global networks and organizations--establish widely-shared frames in which religions have been transformed. In particular, the development of global capitalism has provided unprecedented financial means and technologies of communication to religious leaders. I propose that local religious culture must be considered in light of these new organizational forms, networks, and practices. I take as my starting point a single location in China, the Daoist temple complex at Wudang Mountain, and the associated practices and activities of the Wudang Daoists. I consider how Wudang Daoism fits into four projects and two fields of practice. The four projects are cosmopolitan, civilizational, national and religious; the fields of practice are regional and diasporic.展开更多
As their attempt to assert the strength and uniqueness of traditional Chinese culture in comparison with Western culture, to transform Confucianism by creatively responding to and reinterpreting Western religious conc...As their attempt to assert the strength and uniqueness of traditional Chinese culture in comparison with Western culture, to transform Confucianism by creatively responding to and reinterpreting Western religious concepts from Confucian perspective, as well as to contribute to inter-religious dialogue, contemporary New Confucians 新儒家 have asserted the transcendence, religiousness and moral metaphysics of Confucianism. The New Confucians have also perceived the spiritual problems of modern people and suggested to deal with them by linking humans with the transcendent Heaven. In this article, I will analyse and evaluate the New Confucians＇ arguments on Confucian ＂immanent transcendence＂ 内在超越. I will argue that they are the bases of the New Confucians＇ arguments on the religiousness of Confucianism, as well as their perception of Confucianism as a moral metaphysics and the solution to the problems of modernity.展开更多
文摘Biodiversity and tropical forests play a fundamental role in the life of the black people of Africa. In Benin, while some aspects of this role are well-documented, others are barely known. Moreover, these information remains so far very scattered through the literature which does not allow to have a global view on the contribution of biodiversity and forests to the life of people. In this work, it is presented the role of forests and biological diversity in the main vital areas of life of populations in south of Benin. The methodology used was based, with regard to the field, on bibliographical research, observation and/or field stakeholder survey. Investigations are more particularly focused on hardwood lumber uses and the species that are significantly used. The results highlight the uses that are made of vegetal elements of biological diversity and timber as forest products in south of Benin. The main areas explored are animist or traditional religion and traditional medicine, as well as socio-cultural and economic life. In this latter area, the most used timber species and their uses are identified; these include furniture, light carpentry, sculpture, formwork, canoe construction, drums and mortar making.
文摘In this paper, I seek to develop a framework within which to investigate the place of religious traditions in modem, global society. Economic and political modemity--globalization, the nation-state, and the development of global networks and organizations--establish widely-shared frames in which religions have been transformed. In particular, the development of global capitalism has provided unprecedented financial means and technologies of communication to religious leaders. I propose that local religious culture must be considered in light of these new organizational forms, networks, and practices. I take as my starting point a single location in China, the Daoist temple complex at Wudang Mountain, and the associated practices and activities of the Wudang Daoists. I consider how Wudang Daoism fits into four projects and two fields of practice. The four projects are cosmopolitan, civilizational, national and religious; the fields of practice are regional and diasporic.
文摘As their attempt to assert the strength and uniqueness of traditional Chinese culture in comparison with Western culture, to transform Confucianism by creatively responding to and reinterpreting Western religious concepts from Confucian perspective, as well as to contribute to inter-religious dialogue, contemporary New Confucians 新儒家 have asserted the transcendence, religiousness and moral metaphysics of Confucianism. The New Confucians have also perceived the spiritual problems of modern people and suggested to deal with them by linking humans with the transcendent Heaven. In this article, I will analyse and evaluate the New Confucians＇ arguments on Confucian ＂immanent transcendence＂ 内在超越. I will argue that they are the bases of the New Confucians＇ arguments on the religiousness of Confucianism, as well as their perception of Confucianism as a moral metaphysics and the solution to the problems of modernity.
