Buddhist Monasticism in East Asia

The area of Buddhist monasticism has long attracted the interest of Buddhist studies scholars and historians, but the interpretation of the nature and function of monasteries across diverse cultures and vast historical periods remains a focus for debate. This book provides a multifaceted discussion of religious, social, cultural, artistic, and political functions of Buddhist monasteries in medieval China and Japan. With contributions from leading scholars in the field, this volume explores the multiplicity of the institutions that make up "the Buddhist monastery." Drawing on new research and on previous studies hitherto not widely available in English, the chapters cover key issues such as the relationship between monastics and lay society, the meaning of monastic vows, how specific institutions functioned, and the differences between urban and regional monasteries. Collectively, the book demonstrates that medieval monasteries in East Asia were much more than merely residences for monks who, cut off from the dust and din of society and all its entrapments, collectively pursued an ideal cenobitic lifestyle.Buddhist Monasticism in East Asia is a timely contribution to the ongoing attempts to understand a central facet of Buddhist religious practice, and will be a significant work for academics and students in the fields of Buddhist Studies, Asian Studies, and East Asian Religions.

"This book is a welcome addition to the growing corpus of studies focusing on Buddhist practice. It offers a timely description of the manifold contributions made by the Buddhist monastery as an institution in medieval China and Japan, and benefits its readers by helping them to understand the nature and function of such monasteries... This book offers a wealth of new research and careful considerations presented by leading scholars in the field... Not only will this book serve as a valuable resource for scholars and students, it will hopefully encourage further investigations into places of religious practice across cultures." - Pei-Yin Lin, Journal of Buddhist Ethics, Volume 18, 2011"The volume aims to achieve a better understanding of social, ritual, educational, political, and economic dimensions of Eastern Buddhist monasticism... It has a comprehensive and up-to date bibliography. It is a useful contribution to the literature on Buddhist studies, monastic studies, and East Asian religions." - Chipamong Chowdhury, University of Toronto; Studies in Religion / Sciences Religieuses, SAGE 2012."This volume consists of seven articles by leading scholars, all thought-provoking and possessed of a methodological consciousness... This volume is very successful in fulfilling its set goal of studying Buddhist monasteries in East Asia as an institution deeply embedded in society. Additionally, Robson and Barrett, when reviewing current scholarship, each give us new directions and list important issues and themes awaiting further exploration." - Dewei Zhang, McMaster University; Pacific Affairs, Vol.86, No.1 2013.

James A. Benn is Associate Professor of Buddhism and East Asian Religions at McMaster University. His main area of research is Buddhism and Taoism in Medieval China.Lori Meeks is Assistant Professor of Religion and East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Southern California. She has published extensively on the roles of women as consumers and practitioners of Buddhism in Japan during the Heian and Kamakura periods.James Robson is Associate Professor of Chinese Buddhism at Harvard University. He studies Buddhism and Taoism in medieval China.