Lukas K Pokorny
Biographic Data
| ID | 1235595 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Lukas K Pokorny |
| GIVEN NAMES | Lukas K |
| FAMILY NAME | Pokorny |
| SIGNATURE | POKORNY L K |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Vienna |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3498-0612 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 23 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 3 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 23 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2009 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
“The Way, the Truth, and the Light”
A leading figure of the early Theosophical Society, a versatile occultist, and the most important German-speaking Theosophist of his time, Franz Hartmann (1838–1912) was a gifted and prolific writer. In particular, portions of his translation work were appreciated far beyond his usual esoteric audience. This article focuses on Hartmann’s Dàodéjīng 道德經 , first published in 1896/97 and subsequently reissued several times. This was not only one of t…
Preface to the Special Issue “Euro-American Esoteric Perspectives on East Asia”
Appropriating the Dao
Assembling original contributions, this book is a pioneering attempt to address the Euro-American esoteric reception and appropriation of China. Positioned between eighteenth-century’s mesmerism and intersections with the modern martial arts current, the contributions specifically centre on nineteenth and early twentieth-century occult appraisals and representations. This book opens up an under-explored area of research in the field of East–West …
Yiguandao in Vietnam
The article introduces important aspects of the history and contemporary situation of the Taiwanese new religious movement Yīguàndào in Vietnam, where it is called Nhất Quán Đạo. Fieldwork was conducted over four years between 2016 and 2020, chiefly among members of the Fāyī Chóngdé (Phát Nhất Sùng Đức) sub-branch in Hồ Chí Minh City, which is the centre of Nhất Quán Đạo activities. A particular focus is put on the legal and socio-political envir…
Many in Body, One in Mind”
Journal Article “Many in Body, One in Mind”: The Journey of Soka Gakkai in America, by AKIRA KAWABATA, KEISHIN INABA Get access “Many in Body, One in Mind”: The Journey of Soka Gakkai in America, by AKIRA Kawabata and KEISHIN Inaba. Osaka: Osaka University Press, 2023, vi+140 pp.; ¥6.200 (hardback). Lukas K Pokorny Lukas K Pokorny University of Vienna, Austria [email protected] Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Go…
Exploring East Asian Religiosity in Austria
This article outlines the current state of East Asian religiosity in Austria, divided into five areas: (1) Buddhism; (2) Christianity; (3) ethnic religions; (4) alternative traditions/holistic offerings; and (5) popular religious realities. In doing so, a glance is cast at the relevant scholarship, which is subsequently addressed in systematic terms. Next, three chief thematic lacunae in the research are expounded upon: (1) historical documentati…
Exploring Asian Religions in Europe
In the last fifty years there has been an increasing interest in alternative “spiritualities” in the European context, which have crystallised to a significant extent around “Eastern” religious forms. Whereas an important impulse has certainly been given in this respect by Orientalist views, the role played by missionaries in the transmission of Asian religious forms to Europe has been equally important. Still another major factor behind the tran…
Euro-American Esoteric Readings of East Asia
This article introduces the special issue “Euro-American Esoteric Readings of East Asia.” First, the genesis of the special issue is explained, after which working definitions of the key terminology are given, namely, “East Asia,” “Euro-American,” “Western,” and “esotericism.” Next, the rationale of the special issue as well as short synopses of its five contributions are presented. The article argues that esoteric readings of things East Asia ha…
The Ascended Confucius
This article provides a diachronic panorama of the nineteenth- and twentieth-century Euro-American esoteric images of Confucius. After selected appraisals capturing the polyphony of nineteenth-century notions of Confucius, emphasis is given to spiritualist and Theosophical appropriations. Next, his soteriological elevation and the introduction of fellow Chinese Masters within the Ascended Masters context are explored in relation to the I AM Activ…
The Universal Peace Federation (UPF)
The Universal Peace Federation or UPF is a United Nations-affiliated NGO established in 2005 by Mun Sŏn-myŏng (1920–2012), the founder of the South Korean Unification Movement. Mun deemed the UPF’s formation “the most revolutionary and wondrous event since God’s creation of humankind,” assigning the organisation a pivotal role in his millenarian project. This article continues the discussion in Pokorny and Zoehrer 2022 (which addressed the contex…
The science-policy interfaces of the European network for observing our changing planet
This paper reports on major outcomes of the ERA-PLANET (The European network for observing our changing planet) project, which was funded under Horizon 2020 ERA-net co-funding scheme. ERA-PLANET strengthened the European Research Area in the domain of Earth Observation (EO) in coherence with the European participation to Group on Earth Observation and the Copernicus European Union’s Earth Observation programme. ERA-PLANET was implemented through …
Like Armageddon
Kōfuku no Kagaku is a most visible new religious actor in contemporary Japan thanks to the vast publishing activities of its founder and its widespread professional use of new media. This paper examines how Kōfuku no Kagaku engages with the COVID-19 pandemic in practical and doctrinal terms. Notably, early in the pandemic, Kōfuku no Kagaku's international promotion of spiritual cures and vaccines even prompted The New York Times to feature the gr…
"Kingdom-Building" through Global Diplomatic and Interfaith Agency
The Universal Peace Federation or UPF is a United Nations-affiliated NGO launched in 2005 by the late Mun Sŏn-myŏng, self-proclaimed Messiah and founder of the South Korean Unification Movement. Mun considered the UPF as the pinnacle of Unificationist political and interfaith engagement. Envisioned as a complement to and, eventually, a future replacement of the United Nations, the globally operating UPF spearheads Unificationist millenarianism. T…
Japanese Buddhism in Austria
Drawing on archival research and interview data, this paper discusses the historical development as well as the present configuration of the Japanese Buddhist panorama in Austria, which includes Zen, Pure Land, and Nichiren Buddhism. It traces the early beginnings, highlights the key stages and activities in the expansion process, and sheds light on both denominational complexity and international entanglement. Fifteen years before any other Euro…
The Unificationist Funerary Tradition
This paper explores the distinctive funerary tradition of the Unification Movement, a globally active South Korean new religious movement founded in 1954. Its funerary tradition centres on the so-called Seonghwa (formerly Seunghwa) Ceremony, which was introduced in January 1984. The paper traces the doctrinal context and the origin narrative before delineating the ceremony itself in its Korean expression, including its preparatory and follow-up s…
A Feminising Revolution
Following the demise of MunS o n-myo ng in 2012, theS outh Korean Unification Movement has entered an era of female leadership.Munswidowed wife,Han Hak-cha, rose to become the groupss ole new leader. Drawing on ad istinct (co-)messianic narrative,while resuming on the given millenarian trajectory -both chiefly shaped by Mun -Han successfully coped with the theological and organisational challenges of the post-Mun age,establishing herself as the p…
"Gazing at the White Clouds"
‘The Millenarian Dream Continued’
Drawing on a variety of primary sources and numerous interviews and personal conversations with adherents from East Asia, Europe and the United States, this paper sheds light on the latest historical and doctrinal developments in the South Korean Unification Movement, following the passing of its founder and self-proclaimed Saviour, Mun Sŏn-myŏng, in September 2012. Recent personnel changes resulting in the uncontested leadership of Mun’s wife, H…
Karl-Fritz Daiber
Neo‐Confucian Self‐Cultivation – By Barry C. Keenan
Establishing the Revolutionary
Hermes Und Buddha
Religionen in Ostasien und christliche Begegnungen
The science-policy interfaces of the European network for observing our changing planet
This paper reports on major outcomes of the ERA-PLANET (The European network for observing our changing planet) project, which was funded under Horizon 2020 ERA-net co-funding scheme. ERA-PLANET strengthened the European Research Area in the domain of Earth Observation (EO) in coherence with the European participation to Group on Earth Observation and the Copernicus European Union’s Earth Observation programme. ERA-PLANET was implemented through …
Religionen in Ostasien und christliche Begegnungen
Karl-Fritz Daiber
Neo‐Confucian Self‐Cultivation – By Barry C. Keenan
Establishing the Revolutionary
Hermes Und Buddha
‘The Millenarian Dream Continued’
Drawing on a variety of primary sources and numerous interviews and personal conversations with adherents from East Asia, Europe and the United States, this paper sheds light on the latest historical and doctrinal developments in the South Korean Unification Movement, following the passing of its founder and self-proclaimed Saviour, Mun Sŏn-myŏng, in September 2012. Recent personnel changes resulting in the uncontested leadership of Mun’s wife, H…
"Gazing at the White Clouds"
A Feminising Revolution
Following the demise of MunS o n-myo ng in 2012, theS outh Korean Unification Movement has entered an era of female leadership.Munswidowed wife,Han Hak-cha, rose to become the groupss ole new leader. Drawing on ad istinct (co-)messianic narrative,while resuming on the given millenarian trajectory -both chiefly shaped by Mun -Han successfully coped with the theological and organisational challenges of the post-Mun age,establishing herself as the p…
The Unificationist Funerary Tradition
This paper explores the distinctive funerary tradition of the Unification Movement, a globally active South Korean new religious movement founded in 1954. Its funerary tradition centres on the so-called Seonghwa (formerly Seunghwa) Ceremony, which was introduced in January 1984. The paper traces the doctrinal context and the origin narrative before delineating the ceremony itself in its Korean expression, including its preparatory and follow-up s…
Japanese Buddhism in Austria
Drawing on archival research and interview data, this paper discusses the historical development as well as the present configuration of the Japanese Buddhist panorama in Austria, which includes Zen, Pure Land, and Nichiren Buddhism. It traces the early beginnings, highlights the key stages and activities in the expansion process, and sheds light on both denominational complexity and international entanglement. Fifteen years before any other Euro…
The Universal Peace Federation (UPF)
The Universal Peace Federation or UPF is a United Nations-affiliated NGO established in 2005 by Mun Sŏn-myŏng (1920–2012), the founder of the South Korean Unification Movement. Mun deemed the UPF’s formation “the most revolutionary and wondrous event since God’s creation of humankind,” assigning the organisation a pivotal role in his millenarian project. This article continues the discussion in Pokorny and Zoehrer 2022 (which addressed the contex…
The science-policy interfaces of the European network for observing our changing planet
This paper reports on major outcomes of the ERA-PLANET (The European network for observing our changing planet) project, which was funded under Horizon 2020 ERA-net co-funding scheme. ERA-PLANET strengthened the European Research Area in the domain of Earth Observation (EO) in coherence with the European participation to Group on Earth Observation and the Copernicus European Union’s Earth Observation programme. ERA-PLANET was implemented through …
Like Armageddon
Kōfuku no Kagaku is a most visible new religious actor in contemporary Japan thanks to the vast publishing activities of its founder and its widespread professional use of new media. This paper examines how Kōfuku no Kagaku engages with the COVID-19 pandemic in practical and doctrinal terms. Notably, early in the pandemic, Kōfuku no Kagaku's international promotion of spiritual cures and vaccines even prompted The New York Times to feature the gr…
"Kingdom-Building" through Global Diplomatic and Interfaith Agency
The Universal Peace Federation or UPF is a United Nations-affiliated NGO launched in 2005 by the late Mun Sŏn-myŏng, self-proclaimed Messiah and founder of the South Korean Unification Movement. Mun considered the UPF as the pinnacle of Unificationist political and interfaith engagement. Envisioned as a complement to and, eventually, a future replacement of the United Nations, the globally operating UPF spearheads Unificationist millenarianism. T…
Exploring East Asian Religiosity in Austria
This article outlines the current state of East Asian religiosity in Austria, divided into five areas: (1) Buddhism; (2) Christianity; (3) ethnic religions; (4) alternative traditions/holistic offerings; and (5) popular religious realities. In doing so, a glance is cast at the relevant scholarship, which is subsequently addressed in systematic terms. Next, three chief thematic lacunae in the research are expounded upon: (1) historical documentati…
Exploring Asian Religions in Europe
In the last fifty years there has been an increasing interest in alternative “spiritualities” in the European context, which have crystallised to a significant extent around “Eastern” religious forms. Whereas an important impulse has certainly been given in this respect by Orientalist views, the role played by missionaries in the transmission of Asian religious forms to Europe has been equally important. Still another major factor behind the tran…
Euro-American Esoteric Readings of East Asia
This article introduces the special issue “Euro-American Esoteric Readings of East Asia.” First, the genesis of the special issue is explained, after which working definitions of the key terminology are given, namely, “East Asia,” “Euro-American,” “Western,” and “esotericism.” Next, the rationale of the special issue as well as short synopses of its five contributions are presented. The article argues that esoteric readings of things East Asia ha…
The Ascended Confucius
This article provides a diachronic panorama of the nineteenth- and twentieth-century Euro-American esoteric images of Confucius. After selected appraisals capturing the polyphony of nineteenth-century notions of Confucius, emphasis is given to spiritualist and Theosophical appropriations. Next, his soteriological elevation and the introduction of fellow Chinese Masters within the Ascended Masters context are explored in relation to the I AM Activ…
Appropriating the Dao
Assembling original contributions, this book is a pioneering attempt to address the Euro-American esoteric reception and appropriation of China. Positioned between eighteenth-century’s mesmerism and intersections with the modern martial arts current, the contributions specifically centre on nineteenth and early twentieth-century occult appraisals and representations. This book opens up an under-explored area of research in the field of East–West …
Yiguandao in Vietnam
The article introduces important aspects of the history and contemporary situation of the Taiwanese new religious movement Yīguàndào in Vietnam, where it is called Nhất Quán Đạo. Fieldwork was conducted over four years between 2016 and 2020, chiefly among members of the Fāyī Chóngdé (Phát Nhất Sùng Đức) sub-branch in Hồ Chí Minh City, which is the centre of Nhất Quán Đạo activities. A particular focus is put on the legal and socio-political envir…
Many in Body, One in Mind”
Journal Article “Many in Body, One in Mind”: The Journey of Soka Gakkai in America, by AKIRA KAWABATA, KEISHIN INABA Get access “Many in Body, One in Mind”: The Journey of Soka Gakkai in America, by AKIRA Kawabata and KEISHIN Inaba. Osaka: Osaka University Press, 2023, vi+140 pp.; ¥6.200 (hardback). Lukas K Pokorny Lukas K Pokorny University of Vienna, Austria [email protected] Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Go…
“The Way, the Truth, and the Light”
A leading figure of the early Theosophical Society, a versatile occultist, and the most important German-speaking Theosophist of his time, Franz Hartmann (1838–1912) was a gifted and prolific writer. In particular, portions of his translation work were appreciated far beyond his usual esoteric audience. This article focuses on Hartmann’s Dàodéjīng 道德經 , first published in 1896/97 and subsequently reissued several times. This was not only one of t…
Preface to the Special Issue “Euro-American Esoteric Perspectives on East Asia”
Art (11 works) · History (11 works) · Philosophy (11 works) · Japanese History and Culture (10 works) · Political science (10 works) · Chinese history and philosophy (7 works) · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices (7 works) · Computer Science (6 works) · Law (6 works) · Archaeology (5 works)