scripture on the ten kings and the making of purgatory in medieval Chinese Buddhism, The
Book Description
Between the seventh and ninth centuries, a profound transformation swept through Chinese spiritual consciousness, giving birth to an intricate vision of the afterlife that continues to shape beliefs today. This scholarly exploration unveils how medieval Chinese Buddhism developed its distinctive understanding of death, judgment, and rebirth through the concept of ten celestial courts.
At the heart of this spiritual system lies a complex journey every soul must undertake after death. The deceased face examination before ten divine magistrates, each presiding over a different stage of transition from earthly existence to rebirth. This process transforms death from a simple ending into an elaborate spiritual passage requiring navigation, preparation, and divine mercy.
Stephen F. Teiser presents the first complete translation of The Scripture on the Ten Kings, an illustrated medieval text that serves as our primary window into this remarkable cosmological framework. Through careful analysis of this surviving source, readers discover how Chinese Buddhism created a comprehensive system linking morality, ritual practice, and family devotion.
The work reveals how the living could influence the fate of the deceased through religious contributions and offerings of spirit money, establishing a profound connection between earthly actions and otherworldly consequences. This examination of medieval Chinese Buddhist thought offers valuable insights into how spiritual communities develop sophisticated understandings of death, judgment, and the continuation of consciousness beyond physical existence.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Buddhism
📄 Length: 340 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Eschatology, Buddhist
- ✓ Explore Buddhist Eschatology
- ✓ Explore Shi wang jing
- ✓ Explore Hell
- ✓ Explore Eschatology
- ✓ Understand Buddhist philosophy and practice
- ✓ Explore Shih wang ching
- ✓ Explore Buddhism
