"Sources of Chinese Tradition" presents seminal primary readings to understand China's social, intellectual, and religious traditions from the late Shang dynasty through the Ming dynasty. It argues that these foundational texts and their subsequent interpretations reveal the evolving nature of Chinese civilization. The collection, arranged chronologically and divided into four parts, offers a comprehensive introduction to the development and interaction of major philosophical and religious movements.
The book provides historical context and interpretive strategies for understanding key Chinese thought, including early Confucian, Daoist, and Legalist schools, Han dynasty syntheses, the introduction and development of Mahayana Buddhism and Daoist religion, and the later Confucian Revival and Neo-Confucianism. Readers gain access to new translations and selections that highlight popular thought, religion, social roles, and women's education, offering a nuanced view of China's intellectual heritage.
Key concepts
- Oracle-Bone inscriptions — Early written records from the late Shang dynasty that mark the dawn of literate Chinese civilization.
- The Chinese Tradition in Antiquity — The first part of the anthology, covering the early development of Chinese civilization and key texts from Confucian, Daoist, and Legalist schools.
- The Making of a Classical Culture — The second section, focusing on Han China with readings from foundational texts and historical syntheses.
- Later Daoism and Mahayana Buddhism in China — The third section, detailing the development of Buddhism from Sanskrit translations to the Chan school and including Daoist religion and major Buddhist doctrines.
- The Confucian Revival and Neo-Confucianism — The final part, examining the resurgence of Confucian thought and its philosophical connections to political, social, and educational developments in late imperial China.