The special article column section of the 37th issue, titled “Texts and Literature, the Multi-faceted Biographies of Buddhist Monks” will be coordinated by Tu Yen-chiu, Professor, Department of Chinese Literature, National Chengchi University. “Biographies of Buddhist Monks” are classified in the miscellaneous biographies sub-category of the “histography category” (shibu), or in the Buddhist sub-category of the “masters and philosophers category” (zibu) within the four-category (sibu) system. Although these biographies differ from official dynastic histories, the authors’ unique attitudes toward writing make the images and activities of the monks being recorded more vivid and vibrant. Consequently, these biographies appear more real than other historical records and can help us understand social phenomena at the time. For example, Hui Jiao’s Biographies of Eminent Monks (Gaoseng Zhuan) recorded monks who tried to imitate the self-immolation of Bhaiṣajyarāja or Medicine King, and broadly advertised the time and place when and where they would burn themselves. Monks who witnessed the burning would also describe the self-immolation in horrific details. Biographies of monks also record deeds and contributions of monks, through which we can observe the development and changes in Chinese Buddhism. For example, through Hui Jiao’s Biographies of Eminent Monks, we can trace the transformation of Chinese Buddhism from Theravada Buddhism to Mahayana Buddhism, from the prajna thought system to the tathāgata-garbha thought system. In addition, regarding the living condition of monks, some monks completely separated themselves from the secular world and went to the mountains to practice in seclusion, such as Hui Yuan; on the contrary, some monks continued to live secular lives even after being ordained, such as Zhu Fashen, who “rubbed shoulders with the rich and powerful as if they were poor,” etc. Monks’ works were often recorded in the biographies of Buddhist monks, which provide supplementary material for our understanding of literature and thought at the time. Finally, since these Biographies are steeped in religious characteristics, they are indispensable in understanding the religious psychology and practice. Therefore, research on the biographies of Buddhist monks has been multi-faceted through the ages. We welcome submissions of any articles related with biographies of Buddhist monks. Submission for this special article column section ends by the beginning of March 2022.
The Bulletin of the Department of Chinese Literature,
National Chengchi University Editors
National Chengchi University Editors
