Mid-Tang Scholar-Officials as Local Patrons of Buddhist Monasteries

Bibliographic Data

ID21534548
AuthorsAnna Sokolova (0000-0003-0323-4374, corresponding author), Sokolova Sokolova
Year2020
Volume170
Issue2
Pages467
Publication date2020-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueZeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenlandischen Gesellschaft (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0341-0137 • E-ISSN: 2747-4402
PublisherHarrassowitz Publishing House (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.13173/zeitdeutmorggese.170.2.0467
OpenAlexW3092155214
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited9

This article discusses five accounts of reconstructions of Buddhist monasteries that were written by Tang Dynasty literati between 813 and 835. These records ( ji ) show that the Tang aristocracy developed a new strategy of establishing themselves at regional sites by engaging with local Buddhism, while Buddhist accounts and local gazetteers from the same era demonstrate that the five monasteries in question all enjoyed esteemed status within their respective religious communities and accommodated popular local practices. It is argued that mid-Tang scholar-officials associated with these significant local institutions in order to construct new social identities for themselves, gain influence with local elites and religious communities, and sustain their former networks after displacement from high office and disengagement from central government

Ancient history · Archaeology · Buddhism · Disengagement theory · Economic history · Local government · Local History · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Chinese history and philosophy · History · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Japanese History and Culture · Law · Philosophy

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access