Buddhism and Buddhists in China by Lewis Hodus

Drawn from the anthropological work of Lewis Hodus, the Buddhism and Buddhists in China podcast offers a detailed snapshot of religious life as it existed a century ago. This isn't a modern interpretation, but a direct engagement with a text that observed Buddhist practices, rituals, and community structures during a pivotal time in China's history. Presented by Loyal Books, each episode allows listeners to absorb Hodus's firsthand account, which documents temples, monastic disciplines, and the everyday faith of laypeople. What makes this perspective particularly compelling is the author's contextual analysis, framed by the presence of Christian missionary work of the era. You'll hear thoughtful comparisons between these major world religions, not as abstract theology, but in terms of their lived expressions and the points of contact-and sometimes tension-between them. The result is a nuanced audio journey that feels both academic and vividly human. This podcast serves as a valuable historical record, preserving observations that might otherwise fade, and it invites reflection on how traditions adapt and endure. For anyone curious about early 20th-century China, comparative religion, or the roots of modern Buddhist practice, this series provides a foundational and thought-provoking listen.