Imperial; Sanghas; Secular; Chinese text; Buddhism; Xiangguosi Monastery; Ancient; China
摘要
As one of the most significant monasteries in ancient China, born in 771 A.D. and expansively rebuilt for many times in successive dynasties, Xiangguosi Monastery played a significant and particular role in the imperial life of religion and society in ancient China, especially in the Tang and the Song periods. The research on it will prove helpful to rethink of the truth of "the Buddhist conquest of China" (in Erich Zurcher's term) and some characteristics of Chinese cults and beliefs. This thesis, based on the research methods of history and with extensive reference to the theories and methods of religious study, sociology, anthropology and postmodern cultural studies, is intended to carry out a systematic, comprehensive and profound study of Xiangguosi Monastery for the first time.
