Transcendence and Immanence

Definition

In this entry, the role played by the categories of immanence and transcendence in religious systems is explored. Even though these categories seem to appear in every single religious institution and/or tradition, however, in terms of doctrine, meaning, and ritual life, they could have quite remarkable differences. The symbolic status of immanence and transcendence is analyzed, regarding world traditions such as Christianism, Judaism, and Mystic Islam, as well as less widespread ones, like Theosophy and the Brazilian cult of Santo Daime.

Introduction

From the point of view of anthropology of religion, in religious experiences, there can always be found, either explicitly or implicitly, conceptions of (1) how a person who participates in sacred practices should behave during their life and (2) one reference to the way in which individuals would be savedfrom the inherent human finiteness based on an eschatology that describes what happens after death. The first point...