Esther-Maria Guggenmos

I am a religious studies scholar specialising in contemporary religion and have extensive expertise in East Asia. I am well versed in Buddhist traditions, especially Chinese Buddhism, but also work with the intersection between religion and society in general. Methodologically, I am strongly influenced by the aesthetics of religion and the analysis of decision-making processes.

As a religious studies scholar specialising in contemporary religions, I study the interface between religion and society in general and with a focus on East Asia and Chinese Buddhist traditions. Methodologically, I am strongly influenced by the aesthetics of religion and the analysis of decision-making processes.

Trained in religious studies, sinology and theology (Münster, Bonn, Taipei), I developed a fascination with Chinese Buddhist life. In my doctoral thesis, I analysed the motivation of lay believers to identify themselves as Buddhists in urban environments (doctoral thesis, Ghent, 2010). From 2009 onwards, I worked on Chinese Buddhist divination (habilitation) and was involved in the establishment of the IKGF (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg), which dealt with conceptualisations of the future between Asia and Europe. I am currently delving into the intersection between religion and public education from a comparative Asian-European perspective. I also reflect on how changes in the contemporary cultivation of emotions impact ritual practice.