The Origins of Buddhist Monastic Codes in China

The Origins of Buddhist Monastic Codes in China contains the first complete translation of Chinas earliest and most influential monastic code. The twelfth-century text Chanyuan qinggui (Rules of Purity for the Chan Monastery) provides a wealth of detail on all aspects of life in public Buddhist monasteries during the Sung (9601279). Part One consists of Yifas overview of the development of monastic regulations in Chinese Buddhist history, a biography of the texts author, and an analysis of the social and cultural context of premodern Chinese Buddhist monasticism. Of particular importance are the interconnections made between Chan traditions and the dual heritages of Chinese culture and Indian Buddhist Vinaya. Although much of the texts source material is traced directly to the Vinayas and the works of the Vinaya advocate Daoan (312385) and the L master Daoxuan (596667), the Chanyuan qinggui includes elements foreign to the original Vinaya textselements incorporated from Chinese governmental policies and traditional Chinese etiquette. Following the translators overview is a complete translation of the text, extensively annotated.