Buddhism and tales of the supernatural in early medieval China
Subtitle: a study of Liu Yiqing's (403-444) Youming lu
By: by Zhenjun Zhang
Series: Sinica Leidensia -- volume 114
Publisher: Brill
Published: 2014
Place of publication: Boston
Language: eng
Number of pages: 267
ISBN-13: 9789004277274; 9789004277847
Subjects: Buddhism; History; Chinese Buddhist literature; History and criticism; Supernatural
Other titles: Study of Liu Yiqing's (403-444) Youming lu
Description: This book demonstrates the historical changes in early medieval China as seen in the tales of the supernatural - thematic transformation from traditional demonic retribution to Karmic retribution, from indigenous Chinese netherworld to Buddhist concepts of hell, and from the traditional Chinese savior to a new savior, Buddha. It also examines Buddhist imagery and the flourish of new motifs in the fantastic dreamworld and their relationship with Buddhism. This study relates the 'Youming lu' to the development of popular Chinese Buddhist beliefs, attempting to single out ideas that differ from the beliefs found in Buddhist scriptures as well as miraculous tales written especially to promote Buddhism.
Notes: Revised version of the author's dissertation (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2007).

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Liu Yiqing's world and the Youming lu; title: Background of the Buddhist coloring in the Youming lu; title: Historical thematic changes under the impact of Buddhism in early medieval China as seen in the Youming lu; title: Buddhist imagery in early medieval China as seen in the Youming lu; title: A fantastic dream world: new literary motifs and Buddhist culture; title: Concluding remarks.