Making of a Savior Bodhisattva, The
Dizang in Medieval China (Studies in East Asian …
Zhiru
305 pages | ~8 hrs
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Learn MoreMaking of a Savior Bodhisattva, The
Dizang in Medieval China (Studies in East Asian Buddhism)
By Zhiru
This scholarly exploration delves into the rich spiritual heritage of Dizang, a beloved Buddhist figure who serves as a compassionate guide for souls navigating the afterlife. Through meticulous research spanning centuries of Chinese Buddhist tradition, author Zhiru unveils the multifaceted nature of this remarkable deity during his formative period from the sixth to tenth centuries.
Rather than accepting simplified explanations of how an obscure Indian bodhisattva named Ksitigarbha gradually transformed into a Chinese underworld sovereign, this work challenges conventional wisdom. The author demonstrates how such linear interpretations fail to capture the true complexity and spiritual significance of Dizang's evolving identity.
Drawing from an impressive range of historical sources including sacred art, inscriptions, ritual practices, scriptures, and devotional literature, the book reconstructs a more nuanced understanding of what Dizang represented to Chinese Buddhist practitioners. Readers discover a figure far richer than the familiar image of a crowned monk presiding over hellish realms.
This comprehensive study reveals how Dizang's cult encompassed diverse religious expressions and spiritual possibilities before his underworld associations became dominant. For those interested in Buddhist spirituality, religious transformation, and the evolution of sacred figures across cultures, this work offers valuable insights into how spiritual traditions adapt and flourish while maintaining their essential compassionate mission of guiding souls toward liberation and rebirth.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Cult
- ✓ Explore Kultusz
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Hagiolatry
- ✓ Explore Ksitigarbha
- ✓ Explore Histoire religieuse
- ✓ Explore Istenség
- ✓ Explore Buddhist gods
Topics
Details
- Published
- 2007
- Publisher
- University of Hawaii Press
- ISBN-13
- 9780824830458
- ISBN-10
- 0824830458
- Pages
- 305
- Language
- EN
