A study of the life and thought of Yuanzhao of the Vinaya School

Abstract

This dissertation is a study of the works and efforts of Yuanzhao (1048 – 1116 CE) of the Vinaya School during the Song dynasty (960-1279). Having recovered from political persecution during the rules of Emperor Wuzong of the Tang dynasty in 845 CE and Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou in 955 CE, the Vinaya School revived and reached a summit in its development during the Song dynasty under Yuanzhao’s efforts. Yuanzhao played a vital role in reviving the Vinaya School during the medieval period through both his rich writings and his innovations of monastic rituals and regulations. This dissertation focuses on several key issues in his work, including the receiving the Essence of Precepts and its relationship with the conferral of precepts for novices and the conferral of Bodhisattva precepts for the lay Buddhist community. In addition, the reformulating of the Vinaya School lineage and classifying the Ten Main Principles of the Vinaya School gave its followers a guideline for upholding the observance of precepts. This study then argues that, in reinterpreting the efforts of Yuanzhao as a patriarch, he sought a new way for the Vinaya School’s development as a whole. More specifically, this study argues that the ritual of receiving of Essence of Precepts as a fundamental function to expand the Vinaya School development in Chinese society enhanced the bonds within the monastic community. I recount Yuanzhao’s life and demonstrate the view of him as a patriarch in the Vinaya school. From his own language, it is clear that he regarded all of his activities, skillfully incorporated the Essence of Precepts as the main principle of his ideal on reviving the Vinaya School including the reformulation of the manual of conferral precepts for novices and the manual of conferral of Bodhisattva Precepts for the lay community. This study illustrates the reformulation of the Vinaya School lineage as a crucial element in reflection on Yuanzhao’s works and efforts. In addition, this study also discusses that Yuanzhao managed to develop the Ten Main Principles of the Vinaya School as a pathway for the Buddhist community to comprehend precisely the Vinaya teachings and the importance of upholding precept observance for individual spiritual progress. In sum, Yuanzhao’s works revived the Vinaya School and the resurgence of Chinese Buddhist monasticism.