Impact of Master Taixu's Buddhist literature

Begin - Einde 
2020 - 2024 (lopend)
Type 
Vakgroep(en) 
Vakgroep Talen en Culturen
Onderzoeksgebied 
Tijdsperiode 
Land/Regio 
Taal 
Onderzoeksmethode 
Trefwoorden 
Buddhist literature
Buddhist poetry
Buddhist monasticism

Tabgroup

Abstract

In the early 20th century of China, Buddhism got more and more integrated into economic, political and cultural developments. This contributed to what Master Taixu has called ‘Humanistic Buddhism’. This project will address this integration and answer a basic question: how did the social position of Buddhism develop in the first forty years of the twentieth century. In order to further delimitate the research, three topics will at first be focused on:  1. Chinese Buddhist magazines.  These magazines are an important source to study the writing style of Master Taixu. I will explore how these magazines express various economic and political ideas on the social status of Buddhism.  2. Chinese Buddhism and national renaissance.  While developing Buddhism, realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation was also an extremely important part of Master Taixu's ‘Humanistic Buddhism’. Buddhists mainly focused on four issues: economy, politics, education and culture. Some of their fruits of Buddhism still contribute to today's Chinese national renaissance.  3. Chinese Buddhist human behavior cultivation. The cultivation of good behavior of monks and nuns is an important part of Master Taixu's Buddhism reform movements. With the continuous communication between Buddhist monasteries and the secular society, the shaping of social people's behavior was also frequently influenced by Buddhism. Two the most significant aspects will be discussed: one is gender identity of Chinese Buddhism nuns, the other is how Buddhism affected people's ideas on body and mind. These three topics are exemplary of the discussion and innovations in Chinese Buddhism and will be the basis of this research. All data from books and papers, documentaries and historical videos will be used in my publications and doctoral dissertation in the next four years (2020-2024).

Onderzoekers

Promotor(en)

Doctoraatsstudent(en)

Externe medewerkers

Ester Bianchi

Università degli studi di Perugia