Mothers and sons in Chinese Buddhism
Book Description
This groundbreaking exploration reveals how Buddhist teachings transformed the very foundation of Chinese family life over eight centuries of cultural evolution. Through careful analysis of more than twenty Buddhist texts spanning from the fifth to thirteenth centuries, Alan Cole uncovers a fascinating spiritual revolution that reshaped how families understood love, duty, and connection.
Rather than accepting traditional Chinese family structures centered on father-son relationships, Buddhist authors developed an entirely different vision. They crafted new models of family devotion that elevated the sacred bond between mothers and sons, creating a fresh understanding of filial piety that honored feminine wisdom and nurturing power.
Cole demonstrates how this spiritual reframing accomplished something remarkable: it allowed monastic Buddhism to weave itself seamlessly into Chinese society. By honoring the mother-son relationship, Buddhist teachers created bridges between the intimate world of family life and the public sphere of religious practice. This integration touched every aspect of human experience, from sexuality and family dynamics to economic relationships and political structures.
Drawing on modern psychological insights, the author shows how these Buddhist innovations addressed deep human needs for connection and meaning. For contemporary readers exploring spirituality and family relationships, this work offers profound insights into how spiritual traditions can honor both individual growth and family bonds, creating harmony between personal practice and social responsibility.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Buddhism
📄 Length: 303 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Parent and child
- ✓ Explore Aspect religieux
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Parent and child
- ✓ Understand Buddhist philosophy and practice
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Coutumes et pratiques
- ✓ Explore Sohn
- ✓ Explore Boeddhisme
