The Administration of Buddhism in China: A Study and Translation of Zanning and the Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy (Da Song Seng shilüe 大宋僧史)

Table of Contents List of Tables Acknowledgements Introduction: A Look at the Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy 1. The Life and Times of Zanning 2. The Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy: Background and Intent Translation: A Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy in China Fascicle I: [The Propagation of Buddhist Faith] [1] The Era of the Buddha’s Descent [from Heaven] and Birth [on Earth] [2]: The Arrival of Buddhist Monks in Cathay [3]: The Transmission of [Buddhist] Scriptures and Images toChina [4]: Building Monasteries [4A]: Bathing the Buddha [4B]: Buddhist Image Processions [5]: Sūtra Translation [6]: Translations of the Rules [of the Buddhist Order] [7]: The Translation of [Buddhist] Treatises [8]: Leaving Home [to Enter the Buddhist Clergy] in China [9]: Ritual Protocols for Wearing [Monastic] Garments [10]: Erecting Platforms for Precept Ordinations [11]: The Origins of Precept Ordinations for Nuns [12]: Receiving Offerings of Food and Repentance Rituals [13]: Changes in the Etiquette for Paying Respect [14]: Annotating [Buddhist] Scriptures [15]: Lectures by Monks [16]: Lectures by Nuns [17]: Writing Commentaries and Arranging Scriptures in Sections [18]: Explaining the Vinaya [19]: Explaining [Abhidharma] Treatises [20]: Director of Lectures [21]: The Transmission of Meditation and Contemplation Techniques [to China] [22]: Journeys of Monks of This Land (China) to the Regions of the West [23]: Transmitting the Esoteric Canon Fascicle II: [The Institutional History of Buddhism] [24]: Establishing Rules by Monks and Secular Leaders [25]: Incense-Offering and Chant Leaders [26]: The Origins of Hymns of Praise [27]: The Administration of Buddhist Monasteries [28]: Instituting Buddhist Rectors [29]: Buddhist Controllers [30]: Śramaṇa Superintendents [31]: Buddhist Registrars for the Left and Right Precincts [of the Capital] [32]: Assistants to Buddhist Superiors [33]: Directors who Lecture on Scriptures and Treatises [34]: Preceptor of State [35]: Officials Assigned to Various Positions [in Buddhist Administration] [36]: The Stipends and Emoluments of Buddhist Superiors [37]: Administrative Jurisdiction of Buddhist Monks and Nuns [38]: The Relative Ranking of Buddhists and Daoists [39]: [Buddhist] Chapels in the Imperial Palace [40]: The Initiation and Development of Buddhist Registries Fascicle III: [The Social History of Buddhism] [41]: Lectures and Debates on Imperial Birthdays [42]: Granting Purple Robes to Monks [43]: Granting the Title ‘[Great] Master’ [44]: Palace Clerics and Guiding the Imperial Carriage [45]: Granting Official Ranks [to Buddhist Monks] [46]: Fangdeng (i.e., Mahayana) Ordination Platforms [47]: Mutual Benefit Societies and Dharma Associations [48]: Granting Dharma-Ages (i.e., years in the Buddhist clergy since ordination) [49]: Appellations [Used By Monks] Toward Rulers [50]: Authorized Personnel for the Ordination Platform [51]: Ordaining Monks for Financial Profit [52]: Granting Posthumous Titles [53]: Bodhisattva Monks [54].: The Fruits Realized from Obtaining Enlightenment [55]: The Persian [God] Maṇi [56]: Decorated Scripture Desks for Leading the Imperial Carriage [57]: Guardian Deities on the Gates of City Walls [58]: Lighting Lanterns on the Fifteenth Day of the First Month (i.e., New Year) [59]: General Remarks Abbreviations Bibliography Index About the Author The early Song dynasty (960–1278) was a time of immense intellectual fervor, as China rulers, after over a century of internecine warfare, embarked on a new course that promoted wen (literary or cultural arts) over wu (martial prowess). With the new literary based agenda came a discussion of how to constitute Song’s wen agenda, how to define wen values, what kinds of literature should be included and what excluded, and so on. Zanning (919–1001) was the leading Buddhist literatus at the Song court and his Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy represents a major contribution to this debate, the understanding of which would be deficient without it. The new Song consensus which he helped forge became foundational for the future of China and formed the model for culture and civilization throughout East Asia. The Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy is a primary source of our knowledge of Chinese Buddhist institutional history. It details practices and policies regarding the administration of Buddhism that are otherwise difficult to access, and is the major work of its kind in the Chinese context. It establishes principles for the administration of Buddhism in China, many of which were customarily followed. Zanning’s work was compiled at the request of emperor Taizong (r. 976–997) for the purpose of educating the emperor and scholar-bureaucrats on matters pertaining to Buddhism, and thus serves the primary purpose of a guide book or primer on things Buddhist that Song administrators may need to know. The relationship between religion and the state is a topic of major concern in the history of religions. While books, articles, and essays on this topic are common for other regions of the world, especially the West and increasingly for Islamic regions, there are few works discussing the dynamics of religion/state relations in China. Studies are beginning to appear that discuss the dynamics of religion/state relations in modern China, and while many studies of pre-modern Chinese religion touch on this topic, there is no study in English that addresses this topic head on. The relationship between religion and the state in China is a perennial problem that shows no sign of losing its significance in contemporary international affairs, and studies of the history of this relationship with a focus on Buddhism, the most articulate religious force in China during the past couple of millennia, cannot but have a real value to scholars and students. Zanning’s Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy engages the issue of the Buddhist presence in China directly, arguing for the clear and consistent contributions of Buddhism to Chinese culture and society in an unambiguous way. While ceding claims to independence, Zanning offers that Buddhism is an integral component of China’s culture, not an alien tradition anathema to Chinese values, but an important contributing factor to them. While other works argue in favor of Buddhism in the Chinese context in doctrinal and intellectual terms, only the Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy asserts the necessity of Buddhist institutions and customs as assets in administrative affairs. The Administration of Buddhism in China: A Study and Translation of Zanning and the Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy is an important book for Asian studies, Buddhist studies, and history collections.