Esoteric, Chan and Vinaya Ties in Tang Buddhism
The Ordination Platform of the Huishan Monastery on Mount Song in the Religious Policy of Emperor Daizong
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1558/bsrv.41138Keywords:
Mount Song, Huishan monastery, Northern Chan, Esoteric Buddhism, vinaya, precept conferralAbstract
This paper explores the reconstruction of the ordination platform in the Huishan monastery on Mount Song in 767 in the context of the reinforcement of pro-Buddhist policies at the court of Emperor Daizong (r. 762–779). The vinaya monks and state officials who engaged in this platform’s reconstruction are identified as associates of two prominent monastic figures: Amoghavajra (Bukong jin’gang; 704–774), an Esoteric leader at the imperial court; and Songshan Puji (651–739), regarded as the seventh patriarch in the Northern Chan tradition. The key roles played by disciples of these two masters in the reconstruction of the Huishan platform attest to significant congruence in ritual practices between proponents of the Esoteric and Chan groups in Tang dynasty China, primarily in the areas of precept conferral and monastic ordination.
References
Abbreviations
JTS Jiu Tangshu. Comp. Liu Xu et al. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1975.
QTW Quan Tangwen (= Qinding Quan Tangwen). Comp. Dong Hao et al. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1983.
SGSZ Song gaoseng zhuan.Comp.Zanning (919–1001).T (see below) 2061 50.
SKQS Siku quanshu (= Jingyin Wenyuange siku quanshu). Comp. Ji Yun et al. Taipei: Shangwu yinshuguan,1983–1986.
T Taisho shinshu daizokyo. Ed. Takakusu Junjiro et al. Tokyo: Taisho Issaikyo Kankokai, 1924–1935.
X Dai-nippon Zokuzookyo. Ed. Maeda Eun and Nakano Tatsue. Taibei: Xinwenfeng chuban gongsi, 1968–1970.
XTS Xin Tangshu. Comp. Ouyang Xiu et al. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1975.
XXSKQS Xuxiu siku quanshu. Ed. Gu Tinglong et al. Shanghai: Shanghaiguji chubanshe, 2002.
ZZTJ Zizhi tongjian.Comp.Sima Guang Beijing: Guji chubanshe, 1956.
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