This article's lead sectionmay be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article.(January 2024)
Eastern esotericism is a term used by some scholars that loosely encompasses religious beliefs and practices of the Eastern world said to be "esoteric", secret, or occult. Its demarcation as a field, however, is difficult, as it varies depending on the boundaries of geographical and cultural notions of Western and Eastern (such as concerning Islamic nations) and the definition of esotericism, with some scholars arguing it cannot be a concept beyond Western esotericism (which may raise questions about an unsuitable non-emic classification),[4][5][6][7] while others propose a globalizing perspective. Still, it has been employed by scholars who recognize the category, used to denote comparable secret studies and practices, mainly in traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism, and also in other systems, ethnic religions, and syncretisms.[6][8]
^Page Jr., Hugh R.; Finley, Stephen C. (2021). «“What Can the Whole World Be Hiding?”: Exploring Africana Esotericisms in the American Soul-Blues Continuum». In: Aspem, Egil; Strube, ed. New Approaches to the Study of Esotericism (em inglês). Col: Supplements to Method & Theory in the Study of Religion. 17. Leiden; Boston: Brill. Archived on August 18, 2022.