Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
Home> Volumes> Volume CHR Vol.18> Article
Research Article

Buddhism and Taoism in the Tang Dynasty of Ancient China: From Gender Perspective

Jiayin LiUniversidad Rey Juan Carlos*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Gender studies has become a popular field in sociological research. With the deepening of research, women’s empowerment is still a considerable challenge facing various industries. As a prosperous dynasty in ancient Chinese history, the Tang Dynasty, because of its inclusive social environment, women had more independent rights compared with other dynasties. This study uses the method of textual research to analyze the historical materials and archaeological evidence of the Tang Dynasty. It was found that women in the Tang Dynasty expected to participate in social affairs, and religious beliefs, especially Buddhism and Taoism, played a role in promoting participation in social affairs. In addition, it is also found that Taoism has made outstanding contributions to the gender equality of women in the Tang Dynasty.

Keywords: Buddhism and Taoism; gender; social participation; equality
Published: December 7, 2023
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/18/20231152
Volume: CHR Vol.18
pp. 158-163
Download PDF

References

  1. McFarland, S. G. (1989). Religious orientations and the targets of discrimination. Journal for the scientific study of religion, 324-336.
  2. Norton, S. W., & Tomal, A. (2009). Religion and female educational attainment. Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, 41(5), 961-986.
  3. Platt, J. A. (2001). Female circumcision: Religious practice v. human rights violation. Rutgers JL & Religion, 3, 227.
  4. Khetjoi, S. (2020). Buddhism: The Religion For The Equality of Gender. Journal of International Buddhist Studies, 11(1).
  5. Segovia-Pérez, M., Figueroa-Domecq, C., Fuentes-Moraleda, L., & Muñoz-Mazón, A. (2019). Incorporating a gender approach in the hospitality industry: Female executives’ perceptions. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 76, 184-193.
  6. Li, J. A. (2013). Gender differences and role positioning in Confucianism. Yunnan Social Sciences, (1), 61-65.
  7. Zhu, R. Y. (1987). The structure and characteristics of Chinese traditional political culture. Political Science Research, (6), 43-48.
  8. Ma, W. (2012). A brief analysis of the changes in women’s social status in ancient China. Journal of Lanzhou Institute of Education, 28(4), 23-24.
  9. Yang, W. Z. (2001). On the ethical connotation and historical limitations of “Three Obediences and Four Virtues”. Chinese Culture, 2.
  10. Liu, L. J. (2009). Research on “A woman without talent is virtue”. Women’s Studies, (5), 55-60.
  11. Figueroa-Domecq, C., Kimbu, A., de Jong, A., & Williams, A. M. (2022). Sustainability through the tourism entrepreneurship journey: A gender perspective. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(7), 1562-1585.
  12. Jiang, W. (2016). History of Chinese Buddhism. BEIJING BOOK CO. INC.
  13. Zhou, Q. (2005). The management of religious affairs in the Tang Dynasty and its modern enlightenment. Chinese Religion, (3), 54-55.
  14. Yao, W. Q. (2006). Introduction to Buddhism: History and Doctrine. China Renmin University Press, Beijing.
  15. Administración Estatal de Asuntos Religiosos. (2013). The history of Taoism in China and its main sects. http://www.gov.cn/test/2005-06/23/content_8822.htm
  16. Zhu, Z. H. (1994). A brief discussion of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty. Issues in History Teaching, 5.
  17. Guo, P. (1980). Sui and Tang Buddhism, Qilu Publishing House: Jinan.
  18. Ming, J. (2003). Discussion on the Buddhist system of saving monks in the Tang Dynasty. Buddhist Studies, 179-192.
  19. Ji, X. L. (2013). Ji Xianlin talks about Buddhism, Wuhan Publishing House.
  20. Wu, M. X. (2002). Looking at the Buddhist beliefs and characteristics of women in the Tang Dynasty from Tang epitaphs. Buddhist Studies, 256-267.
  21. Wang, Y. P. (2002). On the development scale of Taoism in the Tang Dynasty. Journal of Capital Normal University: Social Sciences Edition, (6), 5-10.
  22. Sun, C. W. (2019). Taoism and Tang Dynasty Literature (Essence)--Collected Works of Sun Changwu (Vol. 11). BEIJING BOOK CO. INC.
  23. Lei, W. (2001). Taoism and national etiquette in the Tang Dynasty—centered on Gaozong’s Zen activities. Chinese Literature and History, (4), 62-79.
  24. Zhang, Z. H. (1996). Analysis of the scale of Taoism in the Tang Dynasty. Chinese Culture Forum, (2), 104-108.
  25. Song, J., & Zhang, X. Q. (2019). Women’s status: concepts, measurements and theories - observations in the whole field and the family field. Women’s Studies Series, (4), 107.
  26. Mason, K. O. (1986, March). The status of women: Conceptual and methodological issues in demographic studies. In Sociological forum (Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 284-300). Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
  27. Deaux, K., & Major, B. (1987). Putting gender into context: An interactive model of gender-related behavior. Psychological review, 94(3), 369.
  28. Schober, J. (1995). The Theravāda Buddhist Engagement with Modernity in Southeast Asia: Whither the Social Paradigm of the Galactic Polity? Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 26(2), 307-325.
  29. Kim, J. (2012). Unheard Voices: Women’s Roles in Medieval Buddhist Artistic Production and Religious Practices in South Asia. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 80(1), 200-232.
  30. Du, F. Q. (2003). The gender dimension and perspective of historical research - also discussing the relationship between women’s history, gender history and economic-social history. Journal of Shanxi Normal University: Social Science Edition, 30(4), 111-118.
  31. Liu, Y. (1975). Old Tang Book. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company.
  32. Ouyang, X. (1975). New Book of Tang Dynasty. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company.
  33. Li, F. (1961). Taiping Guangji. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company.
  34. Zhou, S. L. (2001). Sequel to a compilation of epitaphs from the Tang Dynasty. Shanghai: Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House.
  35. Wu, M. X. (2002). Looking at the Buddhist beliefs and characteristics of women in the Tang Dynasty from Tang epitaphs. Buddhist Studies, 256-267.
  36. Zhao, J. N., & Jiao, J. (2006). Looking at the Taoist beliefs of women in the Tang Dynasty from the epitaphs. Collection, (0).
  37. Chen, Y. K. (1977). Wu Zhao and Buddhism. Modern Buddhist Academic Series (6) - Anthology of Chinese Buddhist History (2) - Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties, 131-147.
  38. Karetzky, P. E. (2002). Wu Zetian and Buddhist Art of the Tang Dynasty. Tang Studies, 2002(20-21), 113-150.
  39. Li, F. L. (2011). On Wu Zetian and Famen Temple. Research on Qianling Culture, 106-114.
  40. Wen, Y. C. (1989). On Wu Zetian and Longmen Grottoes. Dunhuang Academic Journal, (1), 119-127.
  41. Li, L. F. (1992). Tang Liu Dian, Volume 4, 124. Zhonghua Book Company: Beijing.
  42. Jia, J. H. (2021). The religious experience of female Taoist priests in the Tang Dynasty. Humanities Forum, 36(02), 257-275.
  43. Cui, H. D. (2020). The Three Evolutions of Ancient Confucian Views on Women. Contemporary Confucianism (01), 89-101.
  44. Liu, Z. X. (2018). Research on the status of women in the Tang Dynasty. Journal of Kaifeng Institute of Education (01), 49-50.
  45. Han, L. R. (2015). The inspiration of the open style of women’s clothing in the Tang Dynasty to modern clothing design. Journal of Packaging (02), 69-73.