Rethinking the history of Buddhism through female Buddhist heritage investigation

A new perspective on the history of Buddhism emerges from the overlooked contributions of female patrons, challenging traditional narratives that have predominantly centered on male perspectives. This study highlights three significant Buddhist architectural sites in China—the Yungang Grottoes, the Great Vairocana (or Lu-she-na Buddha) of the Longmen Grottoes, and the Tiantai’an Nunnery—as examples of female patronage and engagement in early Chinese Buddhism. Through field surveys and comparative analysis, it reveals the diversity of Buddhist practices and argues for a re-evaluation of Buddhist architectural history to incorporate the roles and traditions of female Buddhist communities. This approach broadens our understanding of Buddhist heritage and its societal impact.

Wang, X. (2023). Rethinking the history of Buddhism through female Buddhist heritage investigation. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2023.2198328