Title

On the Organization of Taixizongyin Yuan in the Yuan Dynasty

Author

Hsu, Cheng-hung  

Genre

Article  

Pages

443-487  

Download

PDF

Language

Chinese  

Key words

Yuan Dynasty, Taixizongyin yuan 太禧宗禋院, imperial temples, spirit halls, emperor Wen-zong of Yuan 元文宗  

Abstract

        The religious systems to which the worship halls in the Yuan Dynasty belonged are many. Among them, the Buddhist system was the largest and most important. Taixizongyin yuan, the administrative branch of the Buddhist system, was established during the period of Emperor Wen-zong of Yuan (1328-1332). It integrated Huifu yuan 會福院 and Shuxiang yuan 殊祥院, which were responsible for the management of different royal temples. This paper discusses several aspects of Taixizongyin yuan, including its history, its organization, and the duties of its personnel. The study shows that the Mongol-Yuan system was established in accordance with the ideology and governmental policies of Mongolian nobles, a situation which was unique in Chinese history.
        The reigns of Shi-zu 世祖 (1260-1294) and Wen-zong were two crucial periods for the establishment of the worship hall system. Shi-zu supported the diversity of worship halls, and Wen-zong attempted to streamline their organization. However, Wen-zong’s reforms were not successful. Although the office which governed worship halls was high-ranked, its influence was limited.