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8 pages, 258 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

The Hangzhou Region and the Spread of East Asian Buddhism

by Albert Welter

Religions 2024, 15(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15020201 - 6 Feb 2024

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Abstract

The story of East Asian Buddhism is a complex tapestry woven through centuries of cultural exchange, religious development, and scholarly interpretations [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

17 pages, 407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blessings on the Waves: Miraculous Encounters of Japanese Pilgrim Monks during Sea Voyages Transmitting Dharma from Southern Song China

by Yi Liu

Religions 2024, 15(1), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15010134 - 21 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1172

Abstract

The maritime route connecting the Chinese continent and the Japanese archipelago facilitated a significant exchange of commercial goods and sociocultural knowledge throughout the Southern Song dynasty. Within this context, Japanese pilgrim monks traveling along this route acted as key conduits for the transmission [...] Read more.

The maritime route connecting the Chinese continent and the Japanese archipelago facilitated a significant exchange of commercial goods and sociocultural knowledge throughout the Southern Song dynasty. Within this context, Japanese pilgrim monks traveling along this route acted as key conduits for the transmission of Buddhist teachings. Their journeys profoundly influenced the establishment and development of new Buddhist monasteries in Japan. Focusing on biographical accounts that portray the experiences of these pilgrim monks during their twelfth- and thirteenth-century sea voyages, this paper aims to explore how these accounts drew on intertextual links with existing Buddhist records to fulfill the compilers’ intentions. Specifically, this paper examines the structure and sources of biographical accounts detailing miraculous encounters between pilgrim monks and Buddhist deities during perilous situations at sea. By interpreting the role of these deities in the corpus of Buddhist literature and within Japanese Buddhist monasteries founded by pilgrim monks, this paper argues that the increasing emphasis on pilgrim monks’ attainment of divine protection in their biographical records suggests a growing concern for reinforcing the authority of their dharma lineages. Moreover, the composition and reception of these miraculous accounts reflected the changing religious needs and reshaped strategies for promoting specific Buddhist sects in subsequent periods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

12 pages, 1648 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Constructing a Sacred Site Overseas: The Japanese Reinvention of the Rujing Stūpa in Hangzhou

by Xinrui Zeng

Religions 2023, 14(12), 1542; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14121542 - 15 Dec 2023

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Abstract

A sacred site that draws pilgrims from distant regions is a distinctive resource for studying religion. Research into a site’s relevance to pilgrims and how it came to be founded contributes to a better understanding of religious activity. To address these issues, a [...] Read more.

A sacred site that draws pilgrims from distant regions is a distinctive resource for studying religion. Research into a site’s relevance to pilgrims and how it came to be founded contributes to a better understanding of religious activity. To address these issues, a thorough historical analysis of a sacred site’s records is essential. Such an analysis endeavors to distinguish the historical facts of a sacred site from its narratives and further discusses the significance of each. With such intent, this study focuses on the Rujing Stupa, a sacred site of significant importance to transnational pilgrimages that has yet to receive sufficient scholarly attention. The stupa, which is located at the Jingci Monastery in Hangzhou, China, is believed to hold the relics of Tiantong Rujing 天童如浄 (1163–1228), a Song Dynasty monk. Although the modern stele inscription at this location indicates that the stupa was founded in the 13th century, shortly after the monk’s death, this paper examines the historical reinventions within the inscription and traces the influence of Japanese narratives on such a reinvention. This study demonstrates that the Rujing Stupa was established by, and for, the Japanese Sōtō Buddhists. The Chinese monk’s connection to the Sōtō pilgrims lies in Rujing’s role as the master who instructed Dōgen 道元 (1200–1253), the founder of the Sōtō tradition, making his stupa a sacred site for the Sōtō community. Concerns of commemoration and reifying doctrinal authenticity motivated two generations of Japanese pilgrims to construct the Rujing stupa in the late 19th and 20th centuries, respectively. On the other hand, Rujing’s significance and the presence of the Sōtō tradition were scarcely acknowledged in China until the early modern period. Only in the late 20th century did Chinese Buddhists begin to appreciate this stupa. Examining the site’s historical reinventions and identifying the factors that shape its narrative, this case study offers insights into the investigation of sacred sites and suggests a concern for narrative in the examination of a site’s history and significance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

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9 pages, 790 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling Hangzhou’s Intellectual Legacy: Chinese Buddhist Reference Works and Knowledge Production in the Song and Beyond

by James Matthew Baskind and Jinhui Wu

Religions 2023, 14(12), 1526; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14121526 - 11 Dec 2023

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Abstract

This article explores Hangzhou’s multifaceted role in shaping Chinese Buddhist culture and contributing to knowledge production. As a vital hub of Chinese material and intellectual culture, Hangzhou’s significant contributions to Buddhism are emphasized, shedding light on its key role in disseminating Buddhist teachings [...] Read more.

This article explores Hangzhou’s multifaceted role in shaping Chinese Buddhist culture and contributing to knowledge production. As a vital hub of Chinese material and intellectual culture, Hangzhou’s significant contributions to Buddhism are emphasized, shedding light on its key role in disseminating Buddhist teachings and preserving knowledge. The study delves into the rich history of Buddhist reference works, particularly leishu, showcasing how these compilations were pivotal in organizing and transmitting Buddhist wisdom. The article connects Hangzhou’s intellectual legacy to the broader context of Chinese Buddhism, emphasizing its crucial position in the development and dissemination of Buddhist doctrines. Additionally, it highlights ongoing academic efforts to compile an Encyclopedia of Hangzhou Buddhist Culture, underscoring Hangzhou’s continued importance in contemporary Buddhist scholarship. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

13 pages, 873 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Yuan Buddhist Centers as the Hub of Monastic Certification: Travels by Korean Monks to China and Some Underlying Reasons

by Sung-Eun Thomas Kim

Religions 2023, 14(12), 1471; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14121471 - 27 Nov 2023

Viewed by 919

Abstract

Notably during the Yuan period of Chinese history, Korean Buddhists had a curious custom of making arduous trips to Buddhist centers in mainland China, by sea or overland. To the extent that monks made this trip despite the possible dangers of this long [...] Read more.

Notably during the Yuan period of Chinese history, Korean Buddhists had a curious custom of making arduous trips to Buddhist centers in mainland China, by sea or overland. To the extent that monks made this trip despite the possible dangers of this long journey, Yuan Buddhism in the practice of Korean Buddhism was conceived as an important hub of monastic certification and the source of new Buddhist developments. In addition, the Chinese masters were seen as essential figures in the monastic careers of the Korean monks. Although there would have been qualified masters in Korea to lead the practice of kanhua chan and to verify the enlightened states of the Korean monks, traveling to China continued up to the end of the Koryŏ period. This continued because the Korean monks obtained obvious benefits after having traveled to China and received their certification of enlightenment 印可. On their return, these monks were given recognition for their spiritual attainment and assigned to high positions in the saṃgha bureaucracy, in many cases, as either a royal or state preceptor. This custom of visiting China was all the more heightened due to Yuan’s domination over Koryŏ from the late-13th to the mid-14th centuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

35 pages, 23972 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gathering Southward under Secularization and Syncretism: Study of the Spatial-Temporal Distribution and Influencing Factors of Chinese Historical Buddhist Architecture in Zhejiang

by Fei Ju

Religions 2023, 14(11), 1398; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14111398 - 8 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1202

Abstract

After Buddhism spread to the Zhejiang, it underwent sinicization, giving rise to Chinese Buddhist architecture and forming a secularized character. The spatial-temporal distribution of historical Buddhist architecture in Zhejiang is strongly representative of Buddhist architecture. From the perspective of religious cultural geography, this [...] Read more.

After Buddhism spread to the Zhejiang, it underwent sinicization, giving rise to Chinese Buddhist architecture and forming a secularized character. The spatial-temporal distribution of historical Buddhist architecture in Zhejiang is strongly representative of Buddhist architecture. From the perspective of religious cultural geography, this study takes 11 prefecture-level cities of Zhejiang as the basic research units, and employs the spatial-analysis method of ArcGIS to analyze the spatial-temporal evolution characteristics of representative historical Buddhist architectural samples, and to explore the factors affecting their distribution. The research results indicate that the spatial distribution of representative historical Buddhist architectural samples in the Zhejiang is extensive, with a distinct single-core clustering characteristic. The mean-center movement of the representative historical Buddhist architectural samples in Zhejiang during different historical periods manifests in four distinct directional phases, overall moving from north to south. Natural, transportation, political, technological, economic, and religious cultural transmission factors collectively influence the spatial-temporal distribution of Buddhist architecture in Zhejiang. Especially the secularization of Buddhism and the syncretism of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism have been the primary drivers in the spatial-temporal distribution evolution of Buddhist architecture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

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14 pages, 900 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcribing the Sacred in the Printing Era: A Study of Handwritten Buddhist Canon during the Northern Song Dynasty

by Yuyu Zhang

Religions 2023, 14(11), 1387; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14111387 - 6 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1254

Abstract

In an era marked by the advent of advanced printing technology during the Northern Song period, the tradition of transcribing the Buddhist canon endured rather than promptly fading away. This persistence is particularly noteworthy in the 10th to early 12th centuries when handwritten [...] Read more.

In an era marked by the advent of advanced printing technology during the Northern Song period, the tradition of transcribing the Buddhist canon endured rather than promptly fading away. This persistence is particularly noteworthy in the 10th to early 12th centuries when handwritten copies of the canon coexisted with the emerging prevalence of block-printed versions. Notably, the monasteries in the Jiangnan 江南 region remained prolific producers of handwritten copies. This article adopts a socio-political perspective to elucidate the coexistence of handwritten and block-printed copies. It delves into the dynamics of canon replication within a specific temporal and geographical context, unveiling a broader tableau of handwritten copies in the printing era. This exploration necessitates an examination of the intricate interplay between the state, the canon, and Jiangnan society. This study contends that the state’s printing policies before the Xining 熙寧 period (1068–1077), which rigorously regulated the production and dissemination of canonical texts, constituted a pivotal factor in sustaining the tradition of handwritten copies. Furthermore, it identifies a sustained societal demand for possessing the canon for constructing the zhuanlun zang 轉輪藏 (revolving wheel storage cabinet), which was most pronounced in the Jiangnan region. This persistent societal need fortified the enthusiasm for transcribing the canon within Jiangnan monastic communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

16 pages, 1535 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modern Chinese Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region in Yu Dafu’s Travel Notes

by Yi Yang and Xiaoya Xu

Religions 2023, 14(11), 1360; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14111360 - 27 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1422

Abstract

Buddhism has been a significant part of Hangzhou’s rich history. Throughout the twentieth century, Hangzhou’s Buddhist culture continued to inspire many Chinese writers, one of the most prominent being Yu Dafu. The writer stayed in Hangzhou several times during the 1920s and 1930s [...] Read more.

Buddhism has been a significant part of Hangzhou’s rich history. Throughout the twentieth century, Hangzhou’s Buddhist culture continued to inspire many Chinese writers, one of the most prominent being Yu Dafu. The writer stayed in Hangzhou several times during the 1920s and 1930s and wrote numerous travel notes, including many describing his and his friends’ visits to temples in and around Hangzhou. These short travel notes, written in modern Chinese with the characteristics of modern prose, opened a relationship between Buddhism and Chinese literature, effectively inaugurating a fresh genre of Chinese Buddhist literature. This paper focuses on Yu Dafu’s travel notes, considers extensive historical sources, and explores how they recorded and represented Chinese Buddhist culture in Hangzhou and more broadly. This paper also explores the reciprocal influence of contemporary Hangzhou’s Buddhist culture on writers’ cognitive frameworks, spiritual solace, and literary choices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

14 pages, 2293 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Wartime Turmoil on Buddhist Monasteries and Monks in the Jiangnan Region during the Yuan-Ming Transition

by Xunqian Liu

Religions 2023, 14(10), 1294; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14101294 - 16 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1166

Abstract

This study explores the transformation of Buddhist culture in the Jiangnan region (present-day southern Jiangsu and northern Zhejiang), driven by wartime disruptions during the transition from the Yuan Dynasty to the Ming. The Yuan Dynasty witnessed the flourishing of Buddhism, and in Jiangnan, [...] Read more.

This study explores the transformation of Buddhist culture in the Jiangnan region (present-day southern Jiangsu and northern Zhejiang), driven by wartime disruptions during the transition from the Yuan Dynasty to the Ming. The Yuan Dynasty witnessed the flourishing of Buddhism, and in Jiangnan, the thriving Zen tradition carried on the legacy of the Southern Song Dynasty. Buddhism found many adherents among the affluent gentry class in Jiangnan, fostering a culture of generous charity that sustained and expanded Buddhism in the region. However, the conflicts toward the end of the Yuan Dynasty inflicted considerable damage on the temples, causing monks to flee. Temples, recognizable landmarks during conflicts, were susceptible to military occupation. Visiting Goryeo monks Muhak Jacho and Naong Hyegeun, and Japanese monks Mumon Gensen and Ginan, were forced to abandon their travels and return to their respective homelands, disrupting the once-thriving Buddhist exchange between Jiangnan and broader East Asia. The chaotic environment also fostered alliances between influential monks and regional powers, providing refuge for monks and an opportunity for both sides to forge beneficial connections. Anti-Yuan factions strategically protected revered monks, leveraging their influence to attract literati and intellectuals, who shared common ethical and spiritual values. This dynamic showcased the mutual benefits derived from such collaboration. Through an exploration of the interplay between politics, social forces, and Buddhism, this paper examines the impact of wartime turmoil on the development of Buddhism in the Jiangnan region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

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11 pages, 1289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

East Asian Buddhism and Korea’s Transnational Interactions and Influences

by Kevin N. Cawley

Religions 2023, 14(10), 1291; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14101291 - 13 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1457

Abstract

No one can dispute the significant influence of Sinitic Buddhism in East Asia, but Korean Buddhists were also unquestionably close to the center of the development of different schools of Buddhism in mainland China, particularly in the Jiangnan region, which had historically drawn [...] Read more.

No one can dispute the significant influence of Sinitic Buddhism in East Asia, but Korean Buddhists were also unquestionably close to the center of the development of different schools of Buddhism in mainland China, particularly in the Jiangnan region, which had historically drawn monks from the peninsula. This article will briefly cover the historical transnational Buddhist interactions between Korea and China, with an emphasis on doctrinal Buddhism, the significance of Ŭisang and Ǔich’ǒn, and the influence of Hangzhou’s Buddhist intellectual advancements. Even though the article’s main focus is on doctrinal contacts, we will also briefly discuss Chan Buddhism in China and how it influenced the texts and techniques of the Korean Sŏn (Zen) monk Chinul (1158–1210), who made an effort to integrate the doctrinal and meditational traditions, as did Ǔich’ǒn. This process of idea-cross-fertilization led to the Tripitaka Koreana, the largest collection of Buddhist texts in East Asia, created by Buddhists during the Koryŏ dynasty (918–1392), which is discussed below. This will aid in our understanding of these transnational exchanges and highlight the fact that Koreans were not only absorbing new ideas as they emerged in China, but they were also influencing them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

17 pages, 2137 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Local to the State: Acknowledging the Cult of Qiansui Baozhang in the Chan Historiography

by Lu Zhang

Religions 2023, 14(10), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14101272 - 8 Oct 2023

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Abstract

The cult of Qiansui Baozhang, a legendary Indian monk, gained prominence during the Song dynasty. He has been revered as the founding patriarch of Hangzhou’s Zhong Tianzhu monastery ever since. Although accounts of Baozhang’s travels in China date back to the third century, [...] Read more.

The cult of Qiansui Baozhang, a legendary Indian monk, gained prominence during the Song dynasty. He has been revered as the founding patriarch of Hangzhou’s Zhong Tianzhu monastery ever since. Although accounts of Baozhang’s travels in China date back to the third century, records about him primarily emerged during the Song dynasty. The earliest known account of Baozhang can be found in the Jiatai kuaiji zhi, where he is described as a Daoist alchemist. Subsequently, his hagiography was compiled in the Chan historiography Jiatai pu denglu. Selected as the first figure in the “Yinghua shengxian” section, Baozhang is portrayed as a divine monk who traveled to many locations which are significantly important to Chan Buddhism. My research suggests that Baozhang’s cult initially gained popularity in the Pujiang, Zhuji, and Kuaiji regions. During the mid-Southern Song dynasty, the abbot of the Zhong Tianzhu monastery played a pivotal role in spreading Baozhang’s cult among high literati. With the dissemination of the Jiatai pu denglu, Baozhang’s account was included in multiple monastic gazetteers, and he himself was revered as the founding patriarch in several monasteries. Examining Baozhang’s various records from diverse sources, this paper aims to delineate his transformation from a local cult figure to a Chan ideal promoted in imperial-sanctioned Buddhist historiography. I argue that the recognition of Baozhang’s cult demonstrates the Chan school’s acknowledgment and response to prevalent folk Buddhist cults at the time. By incorporating Baozhang’s cult into their narratives, the Chan school actively engaged with and adapted to the religious landscape of the Song dynasty. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

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18 pages, 965 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Making of a Masterpiece: An Examination of Zimen Jingxun’s Authorship

by Changzhong (Shin) Lee

Religions 2023, 14(9), 1201; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14091201 - 20 Sep 2023

Viewed by 2049

Abstract

The Chinese Buddhist anthology Zimen jingxun (Admonitions to the Black-robed Monastics 緇門警訓), a compilation believed to have originated during the Song dynasty, constitutes a Chinese Buddhist anthology containing teachings from Buddhist masters and ethical principles intended for observance by monastics. This anthology [...] Read more.

The Chinese Buddhist anthology Zimen jingxun (Admonitions to the Black-robed Monastics 緇門警訓), a compilation believed to have originated during the Song dynasty, constitutes a Chinese Buddhist anthology containing teachings from Buddhist masters and ethical principles intended for observance by monastics. This anthology has garnered scholarly attention due to the noteworthy nature of some of its components. However, there exists a dearth of comprehensive scholarly analyses in the English language, and the precise compilers of this anthology remain shrouded in ambiguity. Nevertheless, the Zimen jingxun has exerted a profound influence on the training of monastics in China, Japan, and Korea, and has emerged as a particularly influential work on Buddhist monastic education in the Korean context. Therefore, this paper functions as an initial effort to address this scholarly gap. Utilizing the methodologies of comparative philology and historical philology, this study undertakes an analysis and comparison of the original Zimen jingxun and its foundational counterpart, the Zilin baoxun, in addition to their subsequent amended and modified versions. The primary aim of this research is to deduce its compilers and the timeframe of its compilation by examining the existing content, prefaces, citations, and any discrepancies discernible in each rendition. Furthermore, it seeks to evaluate the importance and role of each version within the broader context of the Buddhist canon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

21 pages, 1030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chan Gong’an and the “Flexible Method”: A Study on Xuedou Chongxian’s Classic Eulogies and Its Influence on Poetics

by Rongrong Fu

Religions 2023, 14(9), 1105; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14091105 - 26 Aug 2023

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Abstract

This paper argues that as poetics in the Song Dynasty developed, the thinking mode and methods of written expression in Chan Buddhism provided a theoretical reference and creative practical experience for the formation of poetic theories. This point is particularly evident in the [...] Read more.

This paper argues that as poetics in the Song Dynasty developed, the thinking mode and methods of written expression in Chan Buddhism provided a theoretical reference and creative practical experience for the formation of poetic theories. This point is particularly evident in the formation of the “flexible method”, which was a key theory in poetics of the Song Dynasty. The theory comprises three layers of meaning: it advocates respecting forms, changing the meaning of those forms, and retaining the inherent grace of the forms through a natural and fluent syntax and rhetoric of “defamiliarization”. This theory was highly mature in the writing of Lv Benzhong of the Southern Song Dynasty. Xuedou Chongxian (980–1052), a sixth-generation Chan Buddhist at Xuedou Temple, made a vital contribution to its development, which is highlighted by studying the “Hundred Classic Eulogies”. Xuedou Chongxian initially constructed the connotation and system of the theory of the “flexible method” in both theoretical and practical aspects. His theory of poetics is rooted in the ways of thinking and cultivating of the Yunmen sect. He incorporated his dual identity as a senior monk of the Yunmen School and a poet. He inherited Guanxiu’s view of poetry and the Chan concept of Shitou Xiqian and Zhimen Guangzuo, which greatly impacted the literati of the Northern Song Dynasty and provided a conceptual basis for maturing and improving the “flexible method” theory. Therefore, Xuedou Chongxian’s value in the theoretical construction of the “flexible method” should not be ignored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

30 pages, 2001 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vernacular Language and the Wu Dialect in the Formation of a Chan Koine and the Rise of Chan/Zen Philology: The Seventh to Seventeenth Centuries

by John Alexander Jorgensen

Religions 2023, 14(9), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14091101 - 25 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1035

Abstract

Chan monks had a language problem. They needed to deal with at least four registers; the language of the street in their district, the Chan koine with its colloquialisms and argot, the guanhua or official language, and the elite formal language in Literary [...] Read more.

Chan monks had a language problem. They needed to deal with at least four registers; the language of the street in their district, the Chan koine with its colloquialisms and argot, the guanhua or official language, and the elite formal language in Literary Sinitic that was packed with allusions. Zen monks in Japan had to deal with registers of Japanese, plus the Chan koine and the formal Literary Chinese. One response was philological, glosses on vocabulary that were likely to be misunderstood, such as dialect words and words that had changed meaning over time. Notably, most of these responses originated in or were connected to the greater Hangzhou region and its Wu language. After discussing whether there was a “standard” or common language used by elites throughout China, this article contends that the awareness of language differences between the “standard” or Mandarin Chinese and the Wu language by native Wu speakers contributed to the rise of Chan philology and then Zen philology. A few key examples of specialized Chan philological texts will be examined, but it should be kept in mind that examples of Chan philology may be embedded in other Chan works. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

20 pages, 17108 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling the Sacred Journey: The Birth of a Woodblock-Printed Buddhist Canon in the Great Hangzhou Region of the Southern Song Dynasty

by Zhouyuan Li

Religions 2023, 14(9), 1090; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14091090 - 23 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1139

Abstract

This article delves into the literature sources and historical origins of the initial section of the Qisha Canon, a renowned block-printed Chinese Buddhist Canon carved in the greater Hangzhou region during the Song and Yuan dynasties. The existing first twelve volumes, preserved [...] Read more.

This article delves into the literature sources and historical origins of the initial section of the Qisha Canon, a renowned block-printed Chinese Buddhist Canon carved in the greater Hangzhou region during the Song and Yuan dynasties. The existing first twelve volumes, preserved in Japan, exhibit distinct features characterized by notable stylistic script, textual content, and layout. These features indicate their direct lineage from handwritten Buddhist canons of the Northern Song Dynasty rather than from previously printed versions. The utilization of handwritten sources as the foundation for engraving, despite the availability of established printed editions, demonstrates an underappreciated complex relationship between manuscripts and printed canons of the period. Throughout the engraving process of the twelve volumes, the majority of contributors were found to be local commoners, with minimal participation from Buddhist followers. The fluidity of the fundraising locations underscores the inherent instability of such projects. Initially commencing in Liaoqin’s hometown in Huzhou, the project was subsequently transferred to the imperial city of Lin’an prefecture (modern Hangzhou), which shared a border with Huzhou. Ultimately, it found its new location in Pingjiang Prefecture (modern Suzhou). Moreover, this research presents a comprehensive analysis of 195 colophons, delving into the prices, locations, and backgrounds of the characters mentioned. This meticulous examination offers a vivid depiction of the religious and social landscape of the period and provides valuable insights into the recording conventions employed in these colophons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

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20 pages, 872 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“For the First Time in Japan”: The Main Elements of Hangzhou‑Based Zen That Dōgen Transmitted

by Steven Heine

Religions 2023, 14(8), 1021; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14081021 - 9 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 960

Abstract

The transplantation of Zen from China to Japan during the Kamakura period (1185–1333) depended on a series of intrepid seekers, who journeyed beyond conventional geographical and societal boundaries to discover and appropriate religious customs and beliefs while staying on the mainland that spread [...] Read more.

The transplantation of Zen from China to Japan during the Kamakura period (1185–1333) depended on a series of intrepid seekers, who journeyed beyond conventional geographical and societal boundaries to discover and appropriate religious customs and beliefs while staying on the mainland that spread and eventually thrived on the islands. The only way to learn the intricate ways of Zen theory was to experience first-hand the relevant people, practices, places, and ritual performances in the Hangzhou/Ningbo region of the northern Zhejiang province. This article first provides a brief synopsis of travelers to and from Hangzhou, including Japanese pilgrims and Chinese émigré monks in addition to some prominent teachers and learners who did not journey but nevertheless exerted a tremendous impact on the transmission process. Then, it analyzes elements of Chinese Chan that were brought across the waters by Dōgen 道元 (1200–1253), who ventured to gain enlightenment in the 1220s. He later claimed that he implemented “for the first time in Japan” 日本国最始 practical and conceptual religious techniques, including diverse personal, material, ritual, textual, rhetorical, and societal components. Although a major transmitter of Chan, Dōgen made significant innovations based on his vision of the ideal Zen community, recast for the structures of medieval Japanese society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Culture in the Greater Hangzhou Region (Jiangnan) and Its Dispersion throughout East Asia)

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