"Contextualizing the sutra within a milieu of intense religious and cultural experimentation, this volume unravels the sudden rise of Diamond Sutra devotion in the Tang dynasty against the backdrop of a range of social, political, and literary activities. Through the translation and exploration of a substantial body of narratives extolling the efficacy of the sutra, it explores the complex social history of lay Buddhism by focusing on how the laity might have conceived of the sutra and devoted themselves to it. Corroborated by various sources, it reveals the cult's effect on medieval Chinese religiosity in the activities of an empowered laity, who modified and produced parasutraic texts, prompting the monastic establishment to accommodate to the changes they brought about"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Buddhism on the ground: parasutraic narratives and lay religiosity -- Parasutraic narratives as collective memories: underpinnings and the rhetoric of persuasion -- Parasutraic representations: the religiosity of the diamond sutra cult -- Religious innovations: lay autonomy in textual production -- The impact of the cult of the diamond sutra and its parasutraic narratives -- A record of collected proofs of the efficacy of the diamond sutra, Jin'gang bore jing jiyanji, composed by Meng Xianzhong, adjutant of Zizhou -- Collected marvels of the diamond sutra, Jin'gang jing Jiuyi, compiled by Kegu, Duan Chengshi of Linzi [commandery], junior chamberlain for ceremonials, Tang dynasty -- A record of the proven efficacy of the diamond sutra and the merit to be gained from upholding and reciting it, Chisong Jin'gang jing lingyan gongde ji, compiled by Zhai Fengda.

Online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on August 07, 2019).