This study examines the revival and renewal which the Caodong tradition of Chan Buddhism underwent in twelfth-century China. Under the leadership of politically astute and religiously inspired monks, the Caodong tradition became one of the most powerful groups of Song dynasty elite Buddhism. This event had a great impact on the subsequent development of Chan/Zen Buddhism in both China and Japan.
The study is divided into three sections. First, the contents and dynamics of the revival of the Caodong tradition are examined. In an age when support from the educated elite was a prerequisite for survival, the new Caodong tradition created a lineage and a set of hagiographies which served to give its past needed legitimacy and prestige. Several generations of successful Caodong masters consolidated the lineage (Section I).
Beginning with Furong Daokai (1043-1118) and culminating with Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091-1157) an approach to meditation and practice that appealed to members of the elite developed within the new Caodong tradition. This allowed it to create a distinct identity which differentiated it from the other Chan traditions. The strategy was very successful, but elicited a fierce response from the powerful Linji tradition, especially from the famous and influential Dahui Zonggao. Dabui attacked the Caodong tradition's teachings of meditation and enlightenment, which he called "Silent Illumination," and which he claimed were quietist and passive. Dahui advocated instead the intense reflection on the punch line of a koan story in the pursuit of a break-through enlightenment, an approach which came to be known as "Koan Introspection Chan." However, the controversy can only be fully understood when placed in the context of competition for lay support (Section II).
The study finally examines the Song government's policies towards monastic Buddhism and their crucial role in the formation and institutionalization of the Chan school. Social changes also are shown to have had a profound influence on the development of Chan. By taking political and social changes into account we can increase our understanding of the forces behind the rise of the Caodong tradition and the competition between the Caodong and Linji traditions (Section III).
目次
Abstract Acknowledgments Editorial Conventions General Introduction
Section. I The Creation of the Twelfth-Century Caodong Lineage
Introduction to Section 1 Chapter 1. The Development of the Chan Lineage Chapter 2. Establishing the New Caodong Tradition: Furong Daokai and Dahong Baoen Chapter 3. The Reinvention of the Early Caodong Lineage Chapter 4. Consolidation and Expansion: Daokai and Baoen’s Disciples Chapter 5. The Culmination of the Caodong Revival: Daokai’s “Great Dharma Grandsons”
Section. II Silent Illumination and Koan Introspection Chan
Introduction to Section II Chapter 6. Dahui Zonggao’s Koan Introspection Chan and his Attacks on Silent Illumination Chapter 7. The Caodong Tradition as the Target of Dahui’s Attacks on Silent Illumination Chapter 8. The Silent Illumination of Hongzhi and his Generation Chapter 9. The Earlier Caodong Tradition and Silent Illumination Chapter 10. Silent Illumination and Koan Introspection Chan as Differentiating Strategies
Section III State. Society, and Buddhism under the Song.
Introduction to Section III Chapter 11. State Control of Buddhism under the Song Chapter 12. Policies of the Song Government and the Development of the Chan School
General Conclusion
Appendix A. The Recorded Sayings Literature of the New Caodong Tradition Appendix B. Chart of the Main Figures in the Caodong Lineage List of Chinese Characters Bibliography
