Monk Changyuan 昌圓 (1879–1945), Nuns in Chengdu, and Revaluation of Local Heritage: Voicing Local (In)Visible Narratives of Modern Sichuan Buddhism

Abstract:The study of Buddhism in modern Sichuan has been limited mostly to a few case studies and places. However, in-depth research reveals a richer picture, involving several rural and urban centers. This article seeks to redirect scholarly focus and give voice to monastics and institutions that are so far less known, bringing the peripheries to the center of the study of Chinese religions. Protagonists of this study include the monk Changyuan 昌圓(1879–1945), the nuns Fangchong 方崇 (1841–192?), Longshou 隆壽 (1910–2007), and Nengjing 能靜 (1909–1993), as well as sites like Jinsha Nunnery (Jinsha an 金沙庵) and Zhuyin Nunnery (Zhuyin si 竹隱寺). The article starts with reflections on the concept of (in)visibility. The second part explores small institutions and marginal communities in Chengdu, especially in the suburban regions Pi xian 郫縣 and Wenjiang xian 溫江縣. The final section explores connections between Changyuan and nuns, especially through an analysis of local education projects. This study gives voice to local Buddhist communities in Sichuan, while also detecting the participation of these local players in patterns and dynamics of modern Chinese Buddhism in general.摘要:關於近代四川佛教，研究的主題限於不多個案和地方。然而，深入的研究顯示了更豐富的、包括幾個農村和城市中心的圖景。這篇文章重新引導學術關注，表達不知名的僧侶和寺院，將邊緣地帶到中國宗教研究的中心。本文以昌圓法師（1879–1945）、方崇法師（1841–192？）、隆壽法師（1910–2007）、能靜法師（1909–1993）、金沙庵、竹隱寺等等僧尼與寺院為主。第一部分深思（不）可見性概念。第二部分探索成都的邊緣地區，特別是郫縣和溫江縣的小寺院和僧尼。第三部分探討昌圓與比丘尼之間的關係，尤其為比丘尼新開的教育機會和學校。本文分析四川當地的佛教特色，同時也解釋當地佛教如何參與近代中國佛教模式和動態。