Ancient Chinese Drama Forms and Buddhism

Author: Kang Baocheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: This book is a specialized study on the history of Chinese theater, primarily exploring the macro yet controversial academic topic of the influence of Buddhism on the form of Chinese theater. Building on the research of predecessors, the book specifically discusses the relationship between Buddhism and Chinese theater in terms of performance venues, roles, script systems, music, and performance techniques. The main theatrical genres covered include Jin-Yuan Zaju, local operas since the Ming and Qing dynasties, Tibetan opera, shadow puppetry, and puppet theater. The book emphasizes originality, starting with empirical and case studies. Its distinctive feature is the use of primary materials, particularly the analysis and application of relevant materials from translated Buddhist scriptures, combined with artifact images, to provide convincing evidence for each specific case. This makes the conclusion that Buddhism played a catalytic role in the maturation of Chinese theater seem inevitable. Approaching the relationship between Buddhism and ancient theater, the book offers new perspectives, materials, and conclusions on some unresolved issues in the history of theater. For example, the important performance venues for Song Dynasty theater, "Washis," were originally monastic quarters, and "Goulans" were also related to Buddhist temple architecture. The "title and name," "prologue," and "acts" of Yuan Zaju were all borrowed from Buddhist terminology. There is a transitional phase in the history of theater from performing Buddhist scriptures to performing dramatic works. Tibetan opera does not belong to Nuo opera but is a typical Buddhist theater. Chinese shadow puppetry did not mature only in the Song Dynasty but rather, under the influence of Buddha's "teaching through shadows," matured during the mid-Tang Dynasty. In summary, this book provides new perspectives, materials, and conclusions for the study of the history of Chinese theater.