Buddhism Under the T'ang

by Stanley Weinstein

Overview

Buddhism Under the Tang is a history of the Buddhist Church during the T'ang dynasty (618–907), when Buddhist thought reached the pinnacle of its development. The three centuries spanned by the T'ang saw the formation of such important philosophical schools as the Fa-hsiang and Hua-yen, the consolidation of the T'ien-t'ai school, the introduction of Esoteric Buddhism from India, and the emergence of the Pure Land and Chan schools as the predominant expressions of Buddhist faith and practice. Professor Weinstein draws extensively upon both secular and ecclesiastical records to chronicle the vicissitudes of the Buddhist Church. The main focus is on the constantly changing relationship between the Buddhist Church and the T'ang state. Among the topics discussed in detail are the various attempts to curb the power of the Buddhist monasteries, the governance of the Buddhist clergy, the use of Buddhism to promote secular political ends, and the violent suppression of Buddhism by Emperor Wu (840–846) and its formal restoration under the last T'ang emperor.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521103480
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/11/2008
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Chinese History, Literature and Institutions
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

Part I. The Buddhist Church During the First Half of the T'ang (618–762): Introduction; 1. Reign of Kao-tsu (618–626); 2. Reign of T'ai-tsung (626–649); 3. Reign of Kao-tsung (649–683); 4. Interregnum of Empress Wu (684–705); 5. Reign of Chung-tsung (705–710); 6. Reign of Jui-tsung (710–712); 7. Reign of Hsüan-tsung (712–756); 8. Reign of Su-tsung (756–762); 9. The Effects of the An Lu-shan; 10. Rebellion on the Buddhist Church; 11. The Growth of Pure Land Buddhism; Part II. The Buddhist Church During the Second Half of the T'ang (762–907): 12. Reign of Tai-tsung (762–779); 13. Reign of Te-tsung (779–805); 14. Reigns of Shun-tsung (805) and Hsien-tsung (805–820); 15. Reigns of Mu-tsung (820–824) and Ching-tsung (824–826); 16. Reign of Wen-tsung (826–840); 17. The Suppression of Buddhism Under the Reign of Wu-tsung (840–846); 18. The Restoration of Buddhism Under the Reign of Hsven-tsung (846–859); 19. Buddhism in the Declining Years of the T'ang Dynasty.