Shrines to Living Men in the Ming Political Cosmos

In the first book focusing on premortem shrines in any era of Chinese history, Sarah Schneewind places the institution at the intersection of politics and religion. This legitimate, institutionalized political voice for commoners expands a scholarly understanding of “public opinion” in late imperial China, and illuminates Ming thought and politics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 378 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2019
Publisher: Harvard University, Asia Center

Shrines to Living Men in the Ming Political Cosmos, the first book to focus on premortem shrines in any era of Chinese history, situates the institution at the crossroads of politics and religion. In the past, when a local official left his post, grateful subjects would house an image of him in a temple, seeking to reciprocate his grace. This was the ideal model. By the Ming period, the "living shrine" had become a legal and established practice, supported by interpretations of classical texts.

Sarah Schneewind contends that the institution had the potential to both invite and exert pressure on officials to prioritize local interests. The policies that earned a man commemoration were carved into stone beside the shrine, serving as a lasting testament to his achievements. It was widely recognized that elite men might honor living officials solely for their personal gain, furthering their own careers. Consequently, premortem shrine rhetoric emphasized the role of commoners, who embraced the opportunity to initiate living shrines. This legitimate, institutionalized political voice for the commoners expanded the scholarly understanding of "public opinion" in late imperial China, aligning it with the power of deities to shape political outcomes.

Schneewind's exploration of premortem shrine theory and practice sheds light on Ming thought and politics, encompassing key events such as the Donglin Party's conflict with eunuch dictator Wei Zhongxian and the theories of Gu Yanwu. Through her meticulous research, Schneewind provides a comprehensive account of the role of premortem shrines in the Ming political cosmos, contributing to our understanding of this fascinating period in Chinese history.

Weight: 654g
Dimension: 233 x 145 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674987142