Dr. Julius N. Tsai
Associate Professor, Department Chair
Julius N. Tsai is a historian of religion with research interests in Daoism and Chinese religions. After studies in history at Swarthmore (B.A. 1991), he completed graduate work in theology and religious studies at Harvard (M.Div. 1996) and religious studies at Stanford (Ph.D. 2004), during the latter stage spending a number of years engaged in research and fieldwork in Taiwan. His research relates the study of particular communities and traditions to a broader view of human religiosity. This has led to examinations of ritual action and ritual change; religious biographies; the formation religious identity; secrecy in religions; and the relationship between religion and empire. His current research explores Daoist geomantic practices as part of a larger inquiry into ritual efficacy in China.
Recent Publications:
“Reading the Inner Biography of the Perfected Person of Purple Solarity (Ziyang zhenren neizhuan): Religion and Society in an Early Daoist Hagiography,” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Series 3, 18:2 (2008): 193-220.
“Learning About Teaching From the Traditions We Teach: Reflections on Teaching From an Undergraduate Buddhism Course,” Teaching Theology and Religion 11:3 (June 2008): 159-164.
“Opening Up the Ritual Casket: Patterns of Concealment and Disclosure in Chinese Religion,” Material Religion, 2.1 (2006): 38-66.
“Identity in the Making: Ritual, Lineage and Redaction in the Jinsuo liuzhu yin,” Journal of Chinese Religions, 33 (2005): 61-76.