Looking for Bhairava: exploring the circulation of esoteric texts produced by the Song Institute for canonical translation

Orzech, C.D. (2006) Looking for Bhairava: exploring the circulation of esoteric texts produced by the Song Institute for canonical translation. Pacific World: Journal of the Institute of Buddhist Studies, 3(8), pp. 139-166.

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Abstract

The article, "Looking for Bhairava: Exploring the Circulation of Esoteric Texts Produced by the Song Institute for Canonical Translation" examines the preinterpretive decisions behind scholarly narratives about the circulation of the tantras in China. During the tenth and eleventh centuries the later tantras characterized by the cult of the cemetery (śmaśāna; śītavana) were translated from Indic languages into classical Chinese. The process was entirely underwritten, organized, and funded through Song dynasty imperial patronage, and the output was distributed to imperial monasteries and to foreign courts through the new technology of printing. I argue that this enterprise was a key element of Song policy to establish itself as the new cosmopolitan empire on the Asian continent. The Institute for Canonical Translation functioned as a ‘museum’ at the heart of the imperial metropole. Nevertheless, the prevailing scholarly opinion is that the Chinese found them offensive and that they had no impact in China and disappeared with little trace. Examining evidence in Song catalogues, the diary of the Japanese pilgrim Jōjin, and still extant sculpture from both the Northern and the Southern Song, I argue that the scriptures translated under imperial patronage in the Northern Song did have an impact in China. Transgression, I argue, is culturally constructed and I question current scholarly assumptions that tenth century literati would have considered such material scandalous or transgressive. I show that while some of the scriptures were officially logged into the canon and put into circulation, other translations were kept “off the books” and, contrary to prevailing scholarly opinion, there is evidence for the impact of both sorts of scriptures.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Special Issue Honoring James H. Sanford edited by Charles Orzech. Pacific World: Journal of the Institute of Buddhist Studies. 3rd series, no. 8, 2006 (actually published 2008).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Orzech, Dr Charles
Authors: Orzech, C.D.
Subjects:B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BQ Buddhism
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
Journal Name:Pacific World: Journal of the Institute of Buddhist Studies
Publisher:Institute of Buddhist Studies
ISSN:0897-3644

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