五代十國=Five dynasties and ten kingdoms; 東南國家=Southeastern states; 政教關係=the relationship between Buddhism and politics; 禪宗=Chan Buddhism; 官僚化=bureaucratization
In previous studies on the history of Buddhism in China, it can be said that the relationship between Buddhism and politics during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms is a topic that has received relatively less attention in research. This period has received little attention, and the available research shows that knowledge of the Northern Five Dynasties, which are considered the representative of the orthodox dynasties, is more comprehensive and systematic than that of the Southern states. This is primarily because scholars have tended to focus on individual states instead of embracing a more comprehensive approach when investigating the relationship between Southern regimes and Buddhism during this period. While examining the Chan materials during the Tang-Song interregnum, the author made an unexpected discovery: the Chan literature contained a wealth of information about the circumstance of Chan Buddhism in the southeastern states. Specifically, Min, Southern Han, Southern Tang, and the Wu Yue kingdoms were prominent regions where Chan Buddhism thrived in the southern area. Consequently. These materials serve as an excellent foundation for analysis and comparison, allowing this paper to present preliminary observations on how the aforementioned southern states exerted control over Buddhism within their borders. The main argument posits that during this period, Chan Buddhism faced the tumultuous circumstances that compelled it to offer diverse religious services to local authorities in return for political support. As a result, Chan Buddhism became integrated into the state system to an unprecedented extent, leading to the emergence of a notable inclination towards “bureaucratization”, which was subsequently inherited by the Chan Buddhism of the Song Dynasty.
