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''Praying for Power: Buddhism and the Formation of Gentry Society in Late-Ming China'' is a history book which explores the relationship between Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism during the 17th and 18th centuries in China (the late Ming Dynasty); tourism to Chinese Buddhist sites, and the patronage of Buddhist monasteries in China by Buddhist and Neo-Confucian gentry during this period.〔From the book's own product description. See (Amazon Books page )〕 This philanthropy allowed these patrons to "publicize () elite status outside the state realm" and promoted the growth of a society of gentry.〔 The book is written by Timothy Brook, a distinguished Canadian historian who specializes in the study of China (Sinology). ==Synopsis== ''Praying for Power'' is divided into three main sections: In Part 1, ''"The Culture of Buddhism"'', Brook reviews the development of religious philosophy and politics and the new familiarity with, and openness toward, Buddhism, in what was a Confusianism-dominated society.〔 In Part 2, ''"Monastic Patronage'"'', the author investigates the contributions of the new elite class of gentry, made in the form of "land donations; money and materials for building and renovation; exercise of social and political influence to forward and protect monastic interests; and 'literary patronage,' the composition of admiring poems and essays or the compilation and printing of an institutional history to elevate the prestige of a given monastery."〔 In Part 3, ''"Patronage in Context"'', the author examines in detail patronage by the gentry in three distinct counties: one poor, "where Buddhist institutions were not well developed"; a second rich, where they flourished; and a third "in peculiar circumstances that allow Brook to highlight the ambiguous position of the county magistrate ''vis-à-vis''〔''vis-à-vis'': "with regard to" or "in relation to".〕 monastic patronage."〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Praying for Power」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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