The Administration of Buddhism in China: A Study and Translation ...

Wang Yucheng (Xiaochu ji 小畜集), a major source for the details of Zanning’s life and career; and a translation of the Biographical Record of Zanning in the Orthodox Transmission of Buddhism (Shimen zhengtong 釋門正統), the major Buddhist record of Zanning’s life. Following these chapters, I provide an annotated translation of the Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy (Da Song Seng shilüe 大宋僧史略).

Zanning’s presentation of evidence in the Topical Compendium, while compelling, is decidedly one sided. Zanning is making the case for Buddhist involvement in Chinese culture and society, especially the bureaucratic apparati of the Chinese government, based on acceptance of Buddhism as a Chinese domesticated tradition compatible with Chinese values that is a significant asset to the imperial cause. Events in the Song dynasty after Zanning’s demise make it clear that his recommendations were not often followed, that other points of view came to the fore that precluded Zanning’s rather rosy assessment of intrinsic harmony fostered by a vibrant Buddhist presence. Still, I would contend that the model put forth by Zanning, on the whole, held, and that partially as a result of his advocacy, Buddhism won an acceptance among the Chinese bureaucracy, however begrudgingly, and its activities and institutional practices became normalized through the routines of bureaucratic administration.

By presenting Zanning’s arguments as they stand, I have foregone the kind of analysis that might contextualize his evidence in the face of factors stemming from other sources. I have not, for example, attempted to correlate Zanning’s historical outline of the development of Buddhist institutional practices with those associated with Daoism, an important rival of Buddhism for imperial favor and support. This rivalry is sometimes alluded to by Zanning in his presentation of the “facts” relating to Buddhism, usually to note a similar practice or institution relating to Daoism, but as it is Zanning’s aim to minimize tensions between traditions, the competitive aspects of rivalry for attention have not been investigated. It is my hope that, with the present work before us outlining