Book Culture in Buddhism and Beyond
In the lecture “Book Culture in Buddhism and Beyond”, Professor Ming Tak Ted Hui, a distinguished scholar in Classical Chinese and Medieval China at the University of Oxford, delved into the significance of the recently discovered Khara-Khoto, an ancient city in Inner Mongolia.
Focusing on the unearthed Āgama sutras (Ahan jing), Hui conducted a meticulous comparative analysis between the Chinese texts from Khara-Khoto and received editions, offering valuable insights into the Tanguts’ handling and reprinting of manuscripts.
The lecture not only shed light on the textual variations and editorial practices of the Tanguts but also provided a nuanced perspective on Theravada Buddhism in the Tangut empire during the 11th century.
Hui’s expertise and his role in the TEXTCOURT project added depth to the exploration, contributing significantly to our understanding of the history of reading and Buddhism in the Tangut culture.
The lecture, part of the “Book Culture in Buddhism and Beyond” series, exemplified the series’ commitment to unraveling the intricate connections between writing, publishing, and Buddhism in East Asia throughout history.
