The Administration of Buddhism in China The Administration of Buddhism in China A Study and Translation of Zanning and the Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy (Da Song Seng shilüe 大宋僧史) Albert Welter Copyright 2018 Cambria Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior permission of the publisher. Requests for permission should be directed to [email protected], or mailed to: Cambria Press 100 Corporate Parkway, Suite 128 Amherst, New York 14226, USA Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Welter, Albert, 1952- author . | Zanning, 919-1001. Da Song seng shi lue. English. Title: The administration of Buddhism in China : a study and translation of Zanning and the topical compendium of the Buddhist clergy (Da Song seng shi lue) / Albert Welter. Description: Amherst, New York : Cambria Press, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2017057952 | ISBN 9781604979428 (alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Zanning, 919-1001. Da Song seng shi lue. | Buddhism--China--History. Classification: LCC BQ640.Z3663 W45 2018 | DDC 294.3/610951--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017057952 Table of Contents List of Tables................................................................. ix Acknowledgements.......................................................... xi Introduction: A Look at the Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy.................................................................. 1 Chapter 1: The Life and Times of Zanning............................... 9 Chapter 2: The Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy: Background and Intent........................................ 81 Translation: A Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy in China................................................................. 97 Fascicle I: [The Propagation of Buddhist Faith]........................ 101 [1]: The Era of the Buddha’s Descent [from Heaven] and Birth [on Earth]........................................................... 103 [2]: The Arrival of Buddhist Monks in Cathay..................... 123 [3]: The Transmission of [Buddhist] Scriptures and Images to China................................................................ 129 [4]: Building Monasteries.............................................. 135 [4A]: Bathing the Buddha............................................... 147 [4B]: Buddhist Image Processions...................................... 151 [5]: Sūtra Translation.................................................. 159 [6]: Translations of the Rules [of the Buddhist Order]............. 165 [7]: The Translation of [Buddhist] Treatises........................ 169 vi The Administration of Buddhism in China [8]: Leaving Home [to Enter the Buddhist Clergy] in China................................................................ 173 [9]: Ritual Protocols for Wearing [Monastic] Garments........... 177 [10]: Erecting Platforms for Precept Ordinations.................... 189 [11]: The Origins of Precept Ordinations for Nuns.................. 197 [12]: Receiving Offerings of Food and Repentance Rituals.......... 203 [13]: Changes in the Etiquette for Paying Respect................... 209 [14]: Annotating [Buddhist] Scriptures............................... 217 [15]: Lectures by Monks................................................ 221 [16]: Lectures by Nuns.................................................. 225 [17]: Writing Commentaries and Arranging Scriptures in Sections.............................................................. 227 [18]: Explaining the Vinaya............................................. 231 [19]: Explaining [Abhidharma] Treatises............................. 235 [20]: Director of Lectures............................................... 241 [21]: The Transmission of Meditation and Contemplation Techniques [to China]............................................ 247 [22]: Journeys of Monks of This Land (China) to the Regions of the West............................................................ 265 [23]: Transmitting the Esoteric Canon................................ 273 Fascicle II: [The Institutional History of Buddhism].................. 289 [24]: Establishing Rules by Monks and Secular Leaders............. 291 [25]: Incense-Offering and Chant Leaders............................ 301 [26]: The Origins of Hymns of Praise................................. 323 [27]: The Administration of Buddhist Monasteries.................. 329 Table of Contents vii [28]: Instituting Buddhist Rectors...................................... 335 [29]: Buddhist Controllers.............................................. 345 [30]: Śramaṇa Superintendents......................................... 353 [31]: Buddhist Registrars for the Left and Right Precincts [of the Capital].............................................................. 363 [32]: Assistants to Buddhist Superiors................................ 379 [33]: Directors who Lecture on Scriptures and Treatises........... 387 [34]: Preceptor of State.................................................. 391 [35]: Officials Assigned to Various Positions [in Buddhist Administration].................................................... 397 [36]: The Stipends and Emoluments of Buddhist Superiors............................................................ 407 [37]: Administrative Jurisdiction of Buddhist Monks and Nuns................................................................. 415 [38]: The Relative Ranking of Buddhists and Daoists............... 439 [39]: [Buddhist] Chapels in the Imperial Palace...................... 457 [40]: The Initiation and Development of Buddhist Registries............................................................ 469 Fascicle III: [The Social History of Buddhism]......................... 473 [41]: Lectures and Debates on Imperial Birthdays................... 475 [42]: Granting Purple Robes to Monks................................ 485 [43]: Granting the Title ‘[Great] Master’............................. 501 [44]: Palace Clerics and Guiding the Imperial Carriage............. 515 [45]: Granting Official Ranks [to Buddhist Monks].................. 521 [46]: Fangdeng (i.e., Mahayana) Ordination Platforms............... 531 [47]: Mutual Benefit Societies and Dharma Associations........... 539 viii The Administration of Buddhism in China [48]: Granting Dharma-Ages (i.e., years in the Buddhist clergy since ordination)................................................... 545 [49]: Appellations [Used By Monks] Toward Rulers................ 549 [50]: Authorized Personnel for the Ordination Platform............ 567 [51]: Ordaining Monks for Financial Profit........................... 577 [52]: Granting Posthumous Titles...................................... 583 [53]: Bodhisattva Monks................................................ 589 [54].: The Fruits Realized from Obtaining Enlightenment........... 597 [55]: The Persian [God] Maṇi.......................................... 605 [56]: Decorated Scripture Desks for Leading the Imperial Carriage............................................................. 613 [57]: Guardian Deities on the Gates of City Walls................... 621 [58]: Lighting Lanterns on the Fifteenth Day of the First Month (i.e., New Year)..................................................... 627 [59]: General Remarks................................................... 635 Abbreviations............................................................... 645 Bibliography................................................................ 647 Index......................................................................... 689 About the Author.......................................................... 705 List of Tables Table 1a: Chinese Dynasties Mentioned in the Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy ......................... xiii Table 1b: Chinese Dynasties Mentioned in the Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy (cont’d) ................xiv