Member Book, Kucera, Ritual and Representation in Chinese Buddhism: Visualizing Enlightenment at Baodingshan

Karil J Kucera Discussion

Dear H-Asia Members,

I am pleased to announce the recent publication of my new book:

Karil Kucera, Ritual and Representation in Chinese Buddhism: Visualizing Enlightenment at Baodingshan from the 12th to the 21st Centuries, Amherst, NY: Cambria Press, 2016. 388 pages with 159 images. ISBN 978-1-60497-917-6 

In Ritual and Representation in Chinese Buddhism, I present an integrated analysis of the components of Great Buddha Bend within the greater Baodingshan site across time and space, something that was lacking in earlier studies. Written as a guide to the site for specialists and non-specialists alike, this work provides a clear explanation of the major iconographic features of the imagery as well as translations of the numerous accompanying carved Buddhist texts. It also presents the basic tenets of Pure Land, Chan, Huayan and Esoteric Buddhism in order to explain the features of these Buddhist schools of thought as seen at Baodingshan represented in both visual and textual forms. Lastly, with its focus on ritual use and audience reception based on translations of secular inscriptions carved at the site dating from the 12th through the 21st centuries, my hope is that this study will provide a model for the discussion and evaluation of other religious sites as entities that evolve over time. 

Ritual and Representation in Chinese Buddhism is complemented by a set of “virtual appendices” within which I provide additional resources related to Baodingshan for teaching and research purposes, including an interactive virtual tour of Great Buddha Bend. Please visit www.baodingshan.org and feel free to share this online site with your colleagues.

Table of Contents:

Chapter One – Baodingshan and Concepts of Time

Chapter Two – Image and Timely Use at Great Buddha Bend

Chapter Three – His Story as Timeless and the Filial Son Tableaux

Chapter Four – Time after Time in the Pure Land and Hell Tableaux

Chapter Five – Time Outside of Time in the Master Liu and Oxherding Tableaux

Chapter Six – Audience at Baodingshan Across Time

Chapter Seven – Text and Timely Use at Baodingshan

Chapter Eight – The End of Time in Dazu

For more information, please visit: https://www.cambriapress.com/cambriapress.cfm?template=4&bid=649