This article, centering around "scripture" as an important theme inthe phenomenology of religion, attempts to find a new path for the studyof Confucianism from the perspective of comparative religion. It pointsout that recent theories of religion no longer equate "scripture" with"text." They rather regard "scripture" as a relational concept, a complicated religious phenomenon constructed by the interactions among believers, holy books, and changing historical circumstances. As far as the exploration of "scripture" is concerned, one at least could study its sacred and authoritative status, commentarial traditions, process ofcanonization, social role and function, and ritual performances. The discussion of these issues implies the expansion of methodology, whichtouches upon almost every field in the humanities and social sciences. The Confucian scriptures, the article suggests, could be examined underthis new light. This new attempt, the article further affirms, can become a heuristic example for other comparative studies of Confucianism and world civilizations.
