Albert Welter - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Albert Welter
Religions of Japan in Practice, 2020
International Journal of Buddhist Thought and Culture
The Middle Kingdom and the Dharma Wheel, 2016
This study explores a Buddhist response to the challenges facing Buddhism in the Song dynasty thr... more This study explores a Buddhist response to the challenges facing Buddhism in the Song dynasty through an examination of the Buddhist literati-monk Zanning’s (919-1001) Da Song Seng shilue 大宋僧史略 (Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy compiled in the Great Song dynasty, often also translated as Brief History of the Sangha). The work, written at the request of Song emperor Taizong (r. 976-997), argues for a legitimate role for Buddhism in China and active participation of Buddhist monks and institutions in the affairs of the Chinese state. The purpose of the Da Song Seng shilue was to inform the emperor and his officials of pertinent facts regarding Buddhism in China useful for the administration of the sangha, especially regarding the propagation of the Buddhist faith in China, and the institutional and social history of Buddhism and Buddhist institutions.
History of Religions, 1997
Oxford University Press eBooks, 2008
Duke University Press eBooks, Apr 16, 2021
Princeton University Press eBooks, Jun 30, 2020
Oxford University Press eBooks, Feb 23, 2006
China Review International, 2004
In making my acknowledgments, I must first express my indebtedness to the monks throughout the ag... more In making my acknowledgments, I must first express my indebtedness to the monks throughout the ages who have, through their diligence, bequeathed to us so many treasures. Chinese monks made careful translations of Indian Vinayas, wrote detailed treatises and commentaries on Vinayas, and painstakingly composed monastic codes. Japanese monks deserve recognition for preserving the text and continuing the tradition of Vinaya scholarship. The commentaries of Mujaku Dòchû (1653-1744) were especially valuable to the present translation for the great light they shed on the sometimes abstruse text of Chanyuan qinggui.
China Review International, 2004
While various book series on Religion and Society already exist, most tend to be Euro-centric or ... more While various book series on Religion and Society already exist, most tend to be Euro-centric or have a North American focus. The proposed series would promote contemporary scholarship on the Asia-Pacific Region, particularly studies that give attention to the interaction and mutual transformation of religions across national boundaries and beyond their country of origin. This would be a multidisciplinary series that includes both historical and contemporary ethnographic studies, which would contribute to our understanding of the traditional and changing roles of religion in multiple socio-political contexts in the region. Especially welcome would be comparative studies that expand the frame of analysis beyond the nation-state and those that address emerging issues and trends related to globalization, such as religious pluralism and social conflict over the reemerging public role of religion, transnational religious movements, and Asian religions in diaspora communities.
Oxford University Press eBooks, Oct 5, 2022
Oxford University Press eBooks, Oct 5, 2022
Leifeng Pagoda originated at the bequest of Wuyue King Qian Chu, who created reliquaries and prin... more Leifeng Pagoda originated at the bequest of Wuyue King Qian Chu, who created reliquaries and printed copies of The Precious Chest Seal Dhārani Sūtra and installed these in pagodas. The creation of reliquaries and printed copies of the Sūtra follows the model of King Aśoka, who allegedly erected eighty-four thousand stūpa reliquaries to house Śākyamuni’s remains, including his physical remains as well as his teachings. The contents of The Precious Chest Seal Dhārani Sūtra exhibit the miraculous powers extended to all who construct stūpas and copy the Precious Chest Seal Dhārani Sūtra. In later centuries, the Leifeng Pagoda became associated with the legend of the White Snake, the culmination of a body of snake-inspired lore; stories of young men becoming involved with snake-women have a long tradition in Chinese literature. After falling into disuse and decay, the Pagoda collapsed in 1924 and was eventually resurrected in 2002.
Oxford University Press eBooks, Oct 5, 2022
Oxford University Press eBooks, May 11, 2011
International Journal of Buddhist Thought & Culture, Jun 30, 2022
Oxford University Press eBooks, Feb 23, 2006
Religions of Japan in Practice, 2020
International Journal of Buddhist Thought and Culture
The Middle Kingdom and the Dharma Wheel, 2016
This study explores a Buddhist response to the challenges facing Buddhism in the Song dynasty thr... more This study explores a Buddhist response to the challenges facing Buddhism in the Song dynasty through an examination of the Buddhist literati-monk Zanning’s (919-1001) Da Song Seng shilue 大宋僧史略 (Topical Compendium of the Buddhist Clergy compiled in the Great Song dynasty, often also translated as Brief History of the Sangha). The work, written at the request of Song emperor Taizong (r. 976-997), argues for a legitimate role for Buddhism in China and active participation of Buddhist monks and institutions in the affairs of the Chinese state. The purpose of the Da Song Seng shilue was to inform the emperor and his officials of pertinent facts regarding Buddhism in China useful for the administration of the sangha, especially regarding the propagation of the Buddhist faith in China, and the institutional and social history of Buddhism and Buddhist institutions.
History of Religions, 1997
Oxford University Press eBooks, 2008
Duke University Press eBooks, Apr 16, 2021
Princeton University Press eBooks, Jun 30, 2020
Oxford University Press eBooks, Feb 23, 2006
China Review International, 2004
In making my acknowledgments, I must first express my indebtedness to the monks throughout the ag... more In making my acknowledgments, I must first express my indebtedness to the monks throughout the ages who have, through their diligence, bequeathed to us so many treasures. Chinese monks made careful translations of Indian Vinayas, wrote detailed treatises and commentaries on Vinayas, and painstakingly composed monastic codes. Japanese monks deserve recognition for preserving the text and continuing the tradition of Vinaya scholarship. The commentaries of Mujaku Dòchû (1653-1744) were especially valuable to the present translation for the great light they shed on the sometimes abstruse text of Chanyuan qinggui.
China Review International, 2004
While various book series on Religion and Society already exist, most tend to be Euro-centric or ... more While various book series on Religion and Society already exist, most tend to be Euro-centric or have a North American focus. The proposed series would promote contemporary scholarship on the Asia-Pacific Region, particularly studies that give attention to the interaction and mutual transformation of religions across national boundaries and beyond their country of origin. This would be a multidisciplinary series that includes both historical and contemporary ethnographic studies, which would contribute to our understanding of the traditional and changing roles of religion in multiple socio-political contexts in the region. Especially welcome would be comparative studies that expand the frame of analysis beyond the nation-state and those that address emerging issues and trends related to globalization, such as religious pluralism and social conflict over the reemerging public role of religion, transnational religious movements, and Asian religions in diaspora communities.
Oxford University Press eBooks, Oct 5, 2022
Oxford University Press eBooks, Oct 5, 2022
Leifeng Pagoda originated at the bequest of Wuyue King Qian Chu, who created reliquaries and prin... more Leifeng Pagoda originated at the bequest of Wuyue King Qian Chu, who created reliquaries and printed copies of The Precious Chest Seal Dhārani Sūtra and installed these in pagodas. The creation of reliquaries and printed copies of the Sūtra follows the model of King Aśoka, who allegedly erected eighty-four thousand stūpa reliquaries to house Śākyamuni’s remains, including his physical remains as well as his teachings. The contents of The Precious Chest Seal Dhārani Sūtra exhibit the miraculous powers extended to all who construct stūpas and copy the Precious Chest Seal Dhārani Sūtra. In later centuries, the Leifeng Pagoda became associated with the legend of the White Snake, the culmination of a body of snake-inspired lore; stories of young men becoming involved with snake-women have a long tradition in Chinese literature. After falling into disuse and decay, the Pagoda collapsed in 1924 and was eventually resurrected in 2002.
Oxford University Press eBooks, Oct 5, 2022
Oxford University Press eBooks, May 11, 2011
International Journal of Buddhist Thought & Culture, Jun 30, 2022
Oxford University Press eBooks, Feb 23, 2006