Biancai (1011–1091) and his friends in the outside secular world: Longjing Monastery in the Northern Song (960–1127)

Abstract

Longjing Monastery served as a prominent Buddhist center in Hangzhou during the Northern Song Dynasty. Similar to other esteemed Buddhist monasteries and mountains in China, the monastery’s initial prestige owed in part to its mystical associations with the Daoist recluse, Ge Hong. However, to secure sustained acclaim, adept leadership was crucial. Thus, this study delves into the monastery’s popularity during the Northern Song era, highlighting how the legendary abbot Biancai established both a robust personal reputation and monastic success by “making friends in the outside secular world.”