The Temples of Peking: Epigraphy and Oral Sources -- The Social History of an Imperial Capital

This research project represents the continuation of an earlier grant (RG019-U-97: The Temples of Peking: Towards a Cultural History). The purpose of these two projects was to salvage the memory of the religious life in Peking through a combination of documentary and field research on temples built in the Inner City of Peking between 1403 and 1949. Project members have worked to reproduce and edit inscriptions related to both temples and the religious associations that supported them. Three volumes entitled Temples et stèles de pékin (北京內城寺廟碑刻志) have been published so far, with nine more in preparation plus a supplementary volume for temples in the Forbidden City. In addition, a journal has been published (Sanjiao wenxian 三教文獻; 4 volumes to-date), while a conference proceedings is in press.