Ming Dynasty Buddhism and Political Culture

Author: Zhou Qi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: This is an academic monograph that systematically studies the modernization of Buddhism from the perspective of political culture. Based on historical records and Buddhist canonical texts, the author not onlys and explores the relationship between the Buddhist policies proposed by emperors of the Ming Dynasty and Buddhism, but also summarizes and comprehensively analyzes the intertwined issues of Ming Dynasty Buddhism and various socio-political and cultural factors. Through several typical cases, the author specifically analyzes the perceptions and attitudes of scholars under the Ming Dynasty's autocratic monarchy and cultural authoritarian system toward Buddhism and its impact. Special attention is paid to introducing and interpreting the ways of life demonstrated by eminent monks in the Buddhist community during the increasingly secularized trend of Ming Dynasty Buddhism, thereby revealing and showcasing the close relationship between Chinese Buddhism and traditional political culture to some extent.