Cambria Press - The Administration of Buddhism in China

Explore a significant era of Chinese history with this academic study and translation. During the early Song dynasty (960-1278), China transitioned from a period of warfare to a time of intellectual growth. This shift prioritized wen, or literary and cultural arts, over wu, which represents martial prowess. This book examines how the Song court defined cultural values and determined which literature was worthy of inclusion in their new agenda. This work focuses on Zanning (919-1001), the leading Buddhist literatus at the Song court. Through a study and translation of Zanning's work, the Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy (Da Song Seng shilue), readers gain insight into how Buddhism interacted with the shifting political and cultural landscape of the time. It is a valuable resource for students and scholars interested in the history of Asia, Chinese religious administration, and the evolution of Song dynasty literature.