Introduction

In the Newly-Compiled Annals of Yunnan, starting in Han and Jin Dynasties, Buddhism in Yunnan boomed in Tang and Song Dynasties, prospered in Yuan Dynasty, flourished in Ming Dynasty and yet declined in Qing Dynasty. Dali was ever named “Wonderful Fragrant Ancient State”, and its Chongsheng Temple “the City of Buddha” in the Nanzhao period. The pomp of Dali Buddhism was described in the way of “the water of Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain being Qilu of Buddhism” and “3000 blue halls and pavilions and 800 palaces and rooms”. In the Unofficial History of Nanzhao, as he loved Buddha, Duan Siping built temples each year and carved thousands of statues of Buddha. During the 3 years before Duan Lianyi was killed by Yang Yizhen in the tenth year of Xining of Song Shenzong (1077AD), the splendid Buddha Gathering of “Eight Dragons” were held. Called Dian Secret School in history, the Secret School of Buddhism was popular in Dali State of Nanzhao. Its monks were called Ageli, meaning guru. Therefore, it was called Ageli School.

Xitai Censor Guo Songnian made a detailed description of the Buddhist pomp in his book Traveling Record of Dali, which was written when he came to Dali in 1284 AD. It is like this: The inhabitants here went westward to Ancient India. Most of them upheld Buddha Law. There was a family hall for worshipping Buddha in each family, whether rich or poor. And people, whether old or young, held a few beads in their hands. In a year, they fasted several times, never ate an acrid and strong-smelling vegetable and drank. They would not start to eat until the fast was over. And there were innumerous temples along the mountains where virtuous men lived. Those virtuous men, who could have wives and children, could not be compared with the monks. They often read Confucian classics. From the foundation of country to Duan’s, reign, all scholars of the country were selected from them. This was the earliest, reliable and first-hand materials which existed nowadays.