Events
Pure Land Belief and Pure Land Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty
27 Feb 2025
15:00 ~ 17:00
Fung King Hey Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
Prof. Sun Ying Gang
Zhejiang University
Sun Yinggang, Ph.D. from Princeton University, is a professor and executive vice dean of the School of History at Zhejiang University. He is a recipient of the Ministry of Education’s Young Changjiang Scholars Award and serves as the chief expert for a major project under the National Social Science Fund. Additionally, he is the vice president of the Chinese Society for the Study of the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. His research focuses on the history of Buddhism, medieval history, and the Silk Road. He has published several works, including “The Era of Divine Texts,” “A History of Gandharan Civilization,” and “The History of the Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties.” He has authored over 100 academic papers published in journals such as “Historical Research,” “Chinese Historical Research,” and “World Religious Studies.” He has been invited multiple times to conduct research and teach at academic institutions in Europe, America, Japan, and Taiwan.
During the Tang Dynasty, there was a decline in Maitreya belief and a rise in Amitabha belief, rooted in profound historical and ideological changes. The flourishing of Pure Land belief in the Tang era marked a transformation of Buddhism from an elite philosophy to a popular religion. By simplifying doctrines, strengthening rituals, and constructing visions of the Pure Land, it effectively addressed the ultimate concerns of the populace regarding life and death during a time of chaos. This movement also facilitated a deeper embedding of Buddhism within the ethical structure and daily life of Chinese society. Its legacy is reflected not only in religious practices but also in the profound influence it had on Chinese concepts of death, artistic aesthetics, and even social organization, making it a significant aspect of the history of Buddhist development in China.
