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UBC Theses and Dissertations
Family ties to Buddhist monks and nuns in medieval China : a biographical and hagiographical study of the Southern Xiao family branch Phan, Cam Van Thi
Abstract
The roles of kinship and family ties have recently become recognized as a vital yet unexplored area in the study of medieval Buddhism. This is especially critical in restructuring the relationship between political and religious spheres, which for the Sinologist have always been intricately linked to one another. Although there are studies noting the prominence of family connection in the study of monks and nuns, past studies have focused mainly on the manipulation and modification of religion by political figures for solely secular purposes. Not many studies have turned the tables to analyze the significance of a monk or nun's family background and its intimate influence throughout his or her religious life; nor have they considered how a layman or laywoman's spiritual devotion greatly shapes his or her social life and political career. It is my aim to extend such research and explore on a larger scale the intricate relationship between monastic and lay family members, in this case Xiao Yu, his daughters, sons and relatives, ten in all, from the Southern Xiao family branch during the late Sui to early Tang period. This research serves to prove that the life of a monk or nun, while determined by that individual's vocation and endeavor, is to a degree also conditioned by his or her family background, kinship ties and secular acquaintance. This research, based upon hagiography, epigraphy and relevant materials from canonical and secular sources substantiates the belief that comprehensive study of the monastic order should involve analysis of factors beyond the spiritual sphere.
Item Metadata
| Title |
Family ties to Buddhist monks and nuns in medieval China : a biographical and hagiographical study of the Southern Xiao family branch
|
| Creator | |
| Publisher |
University of British Columbia
|
| Date Issued |
2007
|
| Description |
The roles of kinship and family ties have recently become recognized as a vital
yet unexplored area in the study of medieval Buddhism. This is especially critical in
restructuring the relationship between political and religious spheres, which for the
Sinologist have always been intricately linked to one another. Although there are studies
noting the prominence of family connection in the study of monks and nuns, past studies
have focused mainly on the manipulation and modification of religion by political figures
for solely secular purposes. Not many studies have turned the tables to analyze the
significance of a monk or nun's family background and its intimate influence throughout
his or her religious life; nor have they considered how a layman or laywoman's spiritual
devotion greatly shapes his or her social life and political career.
It is my aim to extend such research and explore on a larger scale the intricate
relationship between monastic and lay family members, in this case Xiao Yu, his
daughters, sons and relatives, ten in all, from the Southern Xiao family branch during the
late Sui to early Tang period. This research serves to prove that the life of a monk or nun,
while determined by that individual's vocation and endeavor, is to a degree also
conditioned by his or her family background, kinship ties and secular acquaintance. This
research, based upon hagiography, epigraphy and relevant materials from canonical and
secular sources substantiates the belief that comprehensive study of the monastic order
should involve analysis of factors beyond the spiritual sphere.
|
| Genre | |
| Type | |
| Language |
eng
|
| Date Available |
2011-03-09
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| Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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| Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
|
| DOI |
10.14288/1.0100972
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| URI | |
| Degree | |
| Program | |
| Affiliation | |
| Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
|
| Campus | |
| Scholarly Level |
Graduate
|
| Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
|
Item Media
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Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.