The multiple roles of the twin Chanding Monasteries in Sui-Tang Chang’an

Abstract

By examining various roles played by the twin Chanding Monasteries under the Sui and Tang dynasties, this article underscores the necessity of studying religious temples and shrines from multiple perspectives, taking into account the plethora of non-religious factors that scholars of the religious history are wont to ignore or neglect. Scholars need to attend more closely to the roles temples have played in building social, political, economic-commercial, educational or even diplomatic and strategic ties and networks in East Asia.