How Chan Buddhism Became a Reinvented School by the Song Dynasty

Abstract

The Song dynasty was a golden age of culture. During this period, Chan Buddhism, Neo- Confucianism and the philosophy of Changes reached a period of climax and became reinvented schools. This paper will use hermeneutics as its research method, approach how Chan Buddhism became a reinvented school by Song dynasty by focusing on (1) the source of Song dynasty Chan materials, (2) how Chan became a reinvented school by the Song dynasty, (3) institutionalization of Song dynasty Chan monastic system, and (4) Song dynasty literati’s relationship with Chan Buddhism.