Program Structure

 

Participants initially gathered in Shanghai and spent five days visiting Buddhist temples and Chinese cultural sites in the nearby Jiangnan cities of Suzhou, Yixing and Yangzhou.

 

The program then proceeded to Xi’an, where the daily curriculum consisted of two main components. In the mornings, participants attended advanced classes and discussion sessions taught by Northwest University professors on the various aspects of Buddhist history and culture in Chang’an. Special attention was paid in class to highlighting important primary sources. In the afternoons, professors guided participants on tours of important historical sites in and around Xi’an. Additionally, there were three full-day field trips to sites further from the city. In the evenings, participants had the option of joining organized group activities.

 

For a full program itinerary, including class topics and site tour destinations, please see below.

 

Itinerary

 

7/20 M Shanghai 上海 / Suzhou 蘇州

Gather for orientation at Pumen Vihara 普門經舍, travel to Jiaying Huiguan Art Gallery 嘉應會館美術館, lodge at Jiaying Huiguan Art Gallery.

 

7/21 T Suzhou 蘇州

Visit Suzhou Museum 蘇州博物館, Xiyuan Temple 西園寺, Kunqu Museum 昆曲博物館, lodge at Jiaying Huiguan Art Gallery.

 

7/22 W Wuxi 無錫 / Yixing 宜興

Visit Ling Mountain 靈山, Yixing Purple Clay Pottery Market 宜興紫砂壺, lodge at Dajue Temple 大覺寺.

 

7/23 R Yixing 宜興 / Yangzhou 揚州

Visit Dajue Temple 大覺寺, Yangzhou Buddhist Culture Museum 揚州佛教文化園 (Tianning Temple 天寧寺), Gaomin Temple 高旻寺, lodge at Jianzhen Library 鑒真圖書館.

 

7/24 F Yangzhou 揚州 / Lianyungang 連雲港

Visit Jianzhen Library 鑒真圖書館, Daming Temple 大明寺, Urban Planning Exhibition Center /Lianyungang Museum 連雲港市博物館, Kongwang Mountain 孔望山/Moya Carvings 摩崖石刻, lodge at hotel in Lianyungang.

 

7/25 Sat Lianyungang 連雲港 / Qingdao 清島 / Xi’an 西安

Visit Asoka Pagoda 阿育王塔 (Qingjing Temple 清淨寺), fly to Xi’an 西安, lodge at Xi’an Garden Hotel 唐華賓館. (Lodge here for remainder of program)

 

7/26 Sun Xi’an 西安

Orientation and visit Da Cien Temple 大慈恩寺.

Class: “Introduction of Buddhism to China,” by Prof. Li Li’an 李利安教授：印度佛教傳入中國

 

7/27 M

Class: “Buddhism in Chang’an in Weijing Southern-Northern Dynasties (265 – 581),” by Prof. Li Li’an 李利安教授：漢魏晉南北朝的長安佛教

Visit Caotang Temple 草堂寺, Qingliang Temple 清涼寺. 

 

7/28 T

Class: “Buddhism in Chang’an in the Sui Dynasty (589 – 618),” by Professor Wang Yarong 王亞榮教授：隋代長安的佛教

Visit Baxian Temple 八仙宮, Wangji Temple 罔極寺.

 

7/29 W

Class: “Buddhism and Confucianism and the Imperial Court in the Tang,” by Professor Jing Sanlong 荊三隆教授：唐代長安的佛教與儒家和政治

Visit Jingye Temple 淨業寺, Xiangji Temple 香積寺.

 

7/30 R

Free Day

 

7/31 F

Class: “Buddhism and Daoim in Chang’an in the Tang,” by  Professor Fan Guangchun 樊光春教授：唐代長安佛教與道教

Visit Louguan Temple 樓觀臺, Daqin Temple 大秦寺. 

 

8/1 Sat

Class: “Buddhist translation enterprise and its major translation temples in Chang’an in the Tang,” by Professor Zhang Hong 張弘教授：唐代長安佛教的譯經和主要译场

Visit Qinglong Temple 青龍寺, Da Xingshan Temple 大興善寺.

 

8/2 Sun

Class: “Buddhist schools  in Chang’an in the Tang,” by Professor Lü Jianfu 呂建福教授：唐代長安的佛教宗派

Visit Huayan Temple 華嚴寺, Xingjiao Temple 興教寺, Niutou Temple 牛頭寺.

 

8/3 M

Class: “Buddhist Art and Literature in Chang’an During in the Tang.” By Prof. Wu Yansheng 吴言生教授：唐代長安的佛教文學藝術

Half Day Free

 

8/4 T

Class: “Exchanges between the Chinese Buddhists and Foreigners in the Tang,” by Prof. Li Li’an 李利安教授：唐代長安的中外佛教交流

Visit Shuilu Convent 水陸庵.

 

8/5 W

Class: “Characteristics and historical position of Buddhism in Chang’an, and present status,” by Prof. Li Li’an 李利安教授：長安佛教的基本特點和現狀

Visit Southern Wutai Mountain 南五台山 / Shengshou Temple 聖壽寺.

 

8/6 R

Visit Huaqing Springs 華清池, Qingshan Museum 慶山文物, Terracotta Warriors 兵馬俑.

 

8/7 F

Visit Famen Temple 法門寺, Qianling 乾陵. 

 

8/8 Sat

Free Day

 

8/9 Sun

Departure

 

About Northwest University

Founded in 1902, Xi’an’s Northwest University has 3 campuses with a total area of 370 acres, and 22 schools and departments offering 67 undergraduate programs. To date the University has established 37 doctoral programs, 92 Master’s programs and 9 postdoctoral programs. The University has a faculty and staff of over 2,300, of which 1,100 are full-time faculty, and nearly 600 are professors and associate professors. The University’s student population amounts to about 18,000 including 2,000 doctoral and graduate students, and 150 international students. The University pays close attention to international exchange and cooperation, and has established collaborative relations with nearly 50 institutions of higher learning and research in foreign countries, Hong Kong and Taiwan.