Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-231) and index.

Four controversies over the religious nature of Confucianism -- A brief history of Confucianism -- The making of a world religion -- Confucianism and the emergence of comparative religion as a discipline in the nineteenth century -- The Confucianism as a religion controversy in contemporary China -- Confucianism as a world religion -- The legitimation of a new paradigm -- Counting Confucians through social scientific research -- To become a Confucian -- A new conceptual framework -- The emerging voices of women in the revival of Confucianism -- The contemporary revival and reinvention of Confucian ritual practices -- The politics of the future of Confucianism.