Readings in Chinese Religions: Dunhuang Manuscripts & Chinese Buddhism

Close reading of Chinese Buddhist texts surviving among the Dunhuang manuscripts. Introduction to the Dunhuang corpus, paleography, codicology, & research tools. Survey of different genres: canonical sutras & commentaries, indigenous sutras, miracle tales, sectarian literature, ritual handbooks, documents of lay congregations, performance literature (sutra lectures, transformation texts, etc.), temple administration, etc.