Pray for Power (Buddhism and the Formation of the Late Ming Chinese Gentry Society)

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 scholars 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 outside the state's control. By actively participating in the fundraising efforts of temple abbots, the patronage of scholars profoundly influenced the public institutions of Buddhism. This book first discusses the relationship between Buddhism and Ming Neo-Confucianism, the growth of Buddhist tourism, as well as the mechanisms and motivations of charitable donations. It then examines 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.