Recapping the World History Seminar “Making History, Writing History, and Becoming History: The Life, Work, and Legacy of Xuanzang” on 14 January 2025

Prof. Benjamin Brose from the University of Michigan delivered his new project “Making History, Writing History, and Becoming History: The Life, Work, and Legacy of Xuanzang” via Zoom upon invitation of the Centre for Comparative and Public History. Soliciting sources ranging from Xuanzang’s biography, religious scripts, and paintings, etc., Prof. Brose uncovered the life story of Xuanzang, the extraordinary monk of the 7th century who travelled to South Asia and learned Buddhism, medicine as well as the foreign language of Sanskrit in Nalanda. Xuanzang had a long lasting impact on Chinese history even after his death. In sculpture, he was a grand symbol of cultural exchange between Buddhism and Chinese culture. In popular religions, Xuanzang became the deliverer and guide of the dead. More importantly, as pointed out by Prof. Brose, Xuanzang became the focus of the new religious movement in the Ming dynasty before becoming the protagonist of the famous novel Journey to the West. Originally a historical figure, Xuanzang was later embellished and mythologized in the novel, and laid the foundation for some religious rituals. The process demonstrated the fluid relationship among history, narrative, and ritual. History is absorbed into narratives, and narratives represent history in new ways. Therefore, history and fiction interact and create one another.

 

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MACPH Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series

All lectures will be conducted in Cantonese.

Organizers: Department of History; M.A. Programme in Comparative and Public History; The Alumni Association of Master of Arts in Comparative and Public History
Enquiry: 3943 8659

 

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For teachers and students who have information to share with the Department, please email your articles in both Chinese and English to chanfiona@cuhk.edu.hk by 4:00pm every Monday.