A History of Chinese Buddhist Faith and Life (Studies on East Asian Religions)

This book is a study of the formation and the practice of Buddhist canons and an attempt to present as fully as possible the panorama of Chinese Buddhist faith. The book uses textual and archaeological sources, including Dunhuang texts, and adopts multiple perspectives such as textual evidence, historical circumstances, social life, as well as the intellectual background at the time. Contents Figures Introduction Expression and Transformation of Chinese Buddhist Faith: Perspectives of Institutional History, Social History, Cultural History, and Scholarship History 1 “Holistic Buddhism” and the Sinicization of Buddhism 2 The Perspective of Institutional History in Chinese Buddhist Faith 3 The Perspective of Social History in Chinese Buddhist Faith 4 The Perspective of Cultural History in Chinese Buddhist Faith Chapter 1 The Faith and Lifestyles of BuddhistsDuring the Northern and Southern Dynasties 1 The Formation of Buddhist Repentance 2 The Formation of the Tradition of Buddhist Vegetarianism 3 Buddhist Societies in the Northern and Southern Dynasties and Philanthropy 4 The Cult of the Fahua jing in the Northern and Southern Dynasties 5 Cults of Bhaiṣajyaguru, Avalokiteśvara and Relics in the Northern and Southern Dynasties 6 Concluding Remarks Appendix 1.1: The Translation of Avalokiteśvara’s Name and the Transmission of Related Scriptures Chapter 2 Faith and Lifestyle of Buddhists in the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties 1 Buddhist Faith and Rituals in the Sui and Tang 2 Neidaochang 內道場 and Śarīra Worship in the Sui and Tang 3 Buddhist Social Philanthropy in the Sui and Tang Periods 4 Public Lectures and Illustrative Narrative in the Tang and Five Dynasties 5 Conclusion Appendix 2.1: An English Translation of the Yaoshi Daochang Wen 藥師道場文 (Text of the Medicine Buddha Altar; B. 8719V), Based on Li Xiaorong’s Critical Edition Appendix 2.2: 34 Monastics Affiliated with Yang Guang’s Palace Chapels Appendix 2.3: Monastics Involved in the Construction of Stūpas During the Renshou Era (601-604) Appendix 2.4: A Comparison of Descriptions of the Sūtra Lecturing by Ennin and Other Sources Chapter 3 Buddhist Faith and Activities in the Song and Yuan Dynasties (960–1368) 1 Buddhist Faith and Rituals in the Song and Yuan Periods 2 Buddhist Philanthropy in the Song and Yuan Periods 3 The Practice of Life Release in Buddhism from the Song to Yuan Periods 4 Conclusion Appendix 3.1: Three Transgressions 三品罪 Appendix 3.2: Three Methods of Repentance 三種懺門 Chapter 4 Buddhist Faith and Lifestyles in the Ming and Qing Dynasties 1 Mount Jiang Dharma Services and the Consolidation of Yoga Teachings under Emperor Taizu of Ming 2 Buddhist Services and Monastic Regulations under the Ming-Qing Periods 3 Philanthropy and the Life-Release in Ming and Qing Buddhism 4 The Formation of the Belief in the Four Buddhist Sacred Mountains in Ming and Qing Periods 5 Conclusion Appendix 4.1: The Times, Locations, Eminent Monks Participating in the Mount Jiang Dharma Service (Hasebe, kyōdanshi, 18-20) Appendix 4.2: Three Hindrances (Sanzhang 三障) Appendix 4.3: Morning and Evening Chanting Conclusion The Characteristics of Chinese Buddhist Faith 1 Spatial Creation for Objects of Chinese Buddhist Faith 2 Rituals of Chinese Buddhist Faith, Politics of Imperial Power and Systems of Ritual 3 Rationalism and Communalism as Chinese Buddhist Expressions of Faith 4 Pragmatism as Chinese Buddhist Expression of Faith Bibliography Index "The goal of this book is to study the ways in which Chinese Buddhists expressed their religious faiths and how Chinese Buddhists interacted with society at large since the Northern and Southern dynasties (386-589), through the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911), up to the Republican era (1912-1949). The book aims to summarize and present the historical trajectory of the Sinification of Buddhism in a new light, revealing the symbiotic relationship between Buddhist faith and Chinese culture. The book examines cases such as repentance, vegetarianism, charity, scriptural lecture, the act of releasing captive animals, the Bodhisattva faith, and mountain worship, from multiple perspectives such as textual evidence, historical circumstances, social life, as well as the intellectual background at the time"-- Provided by publisher