<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Most <italic>baojuan</italic> (precious scrolls), predominantly religious-oriented prosimetric texts in the vernacular language, in the late period of their development (late 19th–early 20th centuries) lost connection with heterodox religious teachings. Notwithstanding this several newly emerged religious traditions in the 19th century continued to use the <italic>baojuan</italic> form to propagate their teachings. This paper analyses specific religious ideas in the <italic>Complete Recension of the Scroll of Mulian</italic>, first printed in Hangzhou in 1877. This text still has not been translated into any foreign language and is rarely discussed in research work, although it is considerably different from the more widespread recensions of this <italic>baojuan</italic>. The <italic>Complete Recension</italic> includes many additional entertaining episodes from the voluminous Mulian dramas of southern China. We can also find ideas of syncretic religious teachings, including references to the inner alchemy technique, which is especially characteristic of the Former Heaven Religion (Xiantiandao) groups. I also compare this text with other recensions of the <italic>Mulian Baojuan</italic> still recited in China in order to demonstrate the interplay of various beliefs and practices in the late <italic>baojuan</italic> texts.</p>
</abstract>

Most baojuan (precious scrolls), predominantly religious-oriented prosimetric texts in the vernacular language, in the late period of their development (late 19th–early 20th centuries) lost connection with heterodox religious teachings. Notwithstanding this several newly emerged religious traditions in the 19th century continued to use the baojuan form to propagate their teachings. This paper analyses specific religious ideas in the Complete Recension of the Scroll of Mulian, first printed in Hangzhou in 1877. This text still has not been translated into any foreign language and is rarely discussed in research work, although it is considerably different from the more widespread recensions of this baojuan. The Complete Recension includes many additional entertaining episodes from the voluminous Mulian dramas of southern China. We can also find ideas of syncretic religious teachings, including references to the inner alchemy technique, which is especially characteristic of the Former Heaven Religion (Xiantiandao) groups. I also compare this text with other recensions of the Mulian Baojuan still recited in China in order to demonstrate the interplay of various beliefs and practices in the late baojuan texts.

New Religious Teachings and Narrative <italic>Baojuan</italic> in the Late 19th Century: The Example of the <italic>Complete Recension of the Scroll of Mulian</italic>

Fudan University, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences

Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

New Religious Teachings and Narrative  in the Late 19th Century: The Example of the 

Most baojuan (precious scrolls), predominantly religious-oriented prosimetric texts in the vernacular language, in the late period of their development (late...

New Religious Teachings and Narrative Baojuan in the Late 19th Century: The Example of the Complete Recension of the Scroll of Mulian

Data publikacji: 14 cze 2023

Zakres stron: 34 - 50

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jef-2023-0004

Słowa kluczowe
vernacular prosimetric literature, syncretic religions, Mulian, Chinese Buddhism

© 2023 Rostislav Berezkin, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

New Religious Teachings and Narrative Baojuan in the Late 19th Century: The Example of the Complete Recension of the Scroll of Mulian

Data publikacji: 14 cze 2023

Zakres stron: 34 - 50

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jef-2023-0004

Słowa kluczowevernacular prosimetric literature, syncretic religions, Mulian, Chinese Buddhism

© 2023 Rostislav Berezkin, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Słowa kluczowe
vernacular prosimetric literature, syncretic religions, Mulian, Chinese Buddhism