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