Description
Book SynopsisIn A Tale of Two Stupas, Albert Welter tells the story of Hangzhou Buddhism through the conceptions, erections, and resurrections of Yongming Stupa, dedicated to the memory of one of Hangzhou's leading Buddhist figures, and Leifeng Pagoda, built to house stupa relics of the historical Buddha.
Trade ReviewAn eye-opening investigation of the multiple layers embedded in the construction and reconstruction of two of the most renowned pieces of religious architecture in East Asia. The narrative is engaging and revealing, bringing to light and relief a plethora of long-obscured elements of critical significance to medieval Chinese sociopolitical and religious history. Yet another tour de force by a dynamic historian of East Asian Buddhism and a must-read for all scholars from different fields of Asian History. * Jinhua Chen, Professor of East Asian History, University of British Columbia *
A Tale of Two Stūpas highlights the politics of suppression and revival of Buddhism in the Hangzhou region in which secular power mingles with sacred space. The author's admirable research guides the reader through the fascinating interactions of religion, national identity, modernity, and economic intervention as well as the rich history of two stupas in Hangzhou, opening up a new horizon in understanding Chinese Buddhism through regional identity. * Jin Y. Park, Professor and Department Chair of Philosophy and Religion, American University *
Table of ContentsForeword Preface Chapter One: Introduction: Buddhist Relic Veneration, Buddhist Sites and Translocations, and the Transformation of the Hangzhou/Jiangnan region into an Indian Buddhist Homeland Chapter Two: Hangzhou Buddhism in Historical Perspective Chapter Three: The Origins and Development of the Yongming Stupa Chapter Four: The Origins and Development of Leifeng Pagoda Chapter Five: A Tale of Two St=upas: The Parameters of Buddhist Revival in China Appendix 1: Translations Associated with the "resurrection" of Yanshou and establishment of the Yongming Stupa Appendix 2: Translations of The Precious Chest Seal Dharani Satra and selections from Jingci Monastery Gazetteer relating to Leifeng Pagoda Bibliography Index
