[INDOLOGY] Worldly and Non-Worldly in Indian Thought

[Yang Qu]

Dear Esteemed Colleagues,

I hope this email finds you well. Apologies for reaching out again, but I
have another question related to a larger project I’m working on.

My research explores how 19th- and 20th-century Chinese intellectuals
engaged with Indian antiquity. I have noticed that many early scholars seem
to have viewed Indian civilization as predominantly non-worldly (chu shi
出世), often overlooking the extensive literary traditions that engage with
worldly concerns, such as the Dharmaśāstra and Kāmaśāstra.

I would greatly appreciate any recommendations for scholarship on the
relationship between the concepts of worldly (laukika) and non-worldly
(alaukika) in Indian thought. Additionally, I am interested in how the
perception of Indian civilization as primarily non-worldly emerged and
developed—not just in China, but in other intellectual traditions as well.

I truly appreciate any suggestions, as this is a key aspect of my project.
Thank you in advance for your time and insights!

Best wishes,

Yang Qu
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