Pray for Rights: Buddhism and the Formation of the Gentry Society in Late Ming China

Author: (Canada) Bo Zhengmin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: In 16th and 17th-century China, Buddhist followers and Confucian scholars were widely active in local temples and their charitable activities. As the number of gentry grew beyond the demand of the imperial bureaucracy, many were excluded from the traditional Confucian path to officialdom; however, evident charitable endeavors could demonstrate the public status of elites beyond the state's control. By actively participating in the fundraising efforts of temple abbots, the gentry's patronage profoundly influenced the public institutions of Buddhism. This book first discusses the relationship between Buddhism and Ming Neo-Confucianism, the growth of Buddhist tourism, and the mechanisms and motivations of charitable donations, followed by an examination of three counties with distinct geographical locations and economic conditions. Based on ample historical records, the author provides an insightful analysis of the types of Buddhist donations and their social consequences at the time.