中国文明的诸项起源特点共同指向上古最重要的物质文化——玉,针对此,相关的理论建构却是真空地带,“玉教”理论的提出正是对这种空白的呼应与弥补。无论西方还是中国学界,一直在寻找包括中国在内不同文明发展的历史经验,以此反思现代性和西方学术理论的有限性。在此思潮背景下,“玉教”的提法既是对中国文化大传统的知识经验表述,以此区别于学术界习以为常的西学研究话语,同时,又多少有重新走入西方宗教学的窠臼之嫌。在实证与阐释之间,“玉教”理论如何通过对物质文化的研究,扩散出一套能阐释上古文化的理论话语,这是它的生命力,也是难点所在。
Archaeological findings provide evidence suggests that Jade was the most important material remains in the process of prehistorical and historical chinese civilization. But relevant research and theoretical construction sitll did not pay enough attention, the theory of Jade Belife echoes and makes up for this deficiency. Whether western or chinese scholars have been looking for the unique historical experience of different civilizations, in order to reflect the limited nature of modernity and western academic theory. As a narrative of profound tradition's knowledge, the discourse of Jade Belief is expeetd different from the western paradigm . But, in this context, "Jade Belife" was reback into the western stereotype of religious studies. Between the empirical and interpretation, the theory of Jade Belife try to construct a specialized theorical dissourse to explain chinese culture through material culture study, should be its vitality, but difficulties.