BGIS: A Searchable Relational Database of Buddhist Monasteries in China
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Transcript of BGIS: A Searchable Relational Database of Buddhist Monasteries in China
BGIS: A Searchable Relational Database of Buddhist Monasteries
in China
Jiang Wu 吳疆 ,Associate Professor, The University of Arizona
Source materials
Chan lamp histories and Biographies of Eminent Monks 燈史 /高僧傳
Monks’ Chronological Biographies 年譜 Monks’ Biographies 行實 Monks’ Recorded Sayings and Literary
Collections 語錄文集 Mountain Gazetteers 山志
Hierarchy of Chan Patriarchs One master has multiple
disciples: one to many relationship
One disciple has one master: one to one relationship
Exceptions: one disciple might claim to have multiple masters: many to many relationship
Result: such a person might have positions in two different hierarchy
Summary: Elements of Relationship
People (including both monks and lay believers): dharma name, literary name, birth date, death date, birth place, secular name, sectarian affiliation, dharma masters, education, degree, monasteries resided, texts rewritten or about, lay followers associated, disciples.
Monasteries: name, location (province, prefecture, county).
Texts: title, author, date of completion or printing, authors of the preface
Design Model
Query
Database AMonasteries in Tang
Database B
Monasteries in SongDatabase C
Monasteries in Ming
Personal Info
Monk Info
Literati Info
Monastery Info
Database D
Monastery in Modern China
Text Info
Images and Pictures
Gazetteer Info
Search Functions Basic search: allows search for single record with cross-
referencing. Monk search: if the user knows the name of a given monk,
regardless dharma name, literary name, or other names, a record about this monk will be generated. In addition, this record provides links for monasteries and texts if applicable.
Monastery: if the user knows the name of a given monastery, a record about this monastery, including latitude and longitude will be generated. A map will be provided showing the location of the monastery. Links to the record of its abbots are available.
Text search: if the user knows the name of a text or its author, the search will generate the record this text plus a link to its author’s record.
Advanced Search
This function allows a variety of combination of query criteria. Search all or a limited number of generations of disciples of a given
master and show their monasteries on a map. For example, search Miyun Yuanwu’s dharma heirs within ten generations and show the monasteries they presided on map.
Search all or a limited number of generations of disciples of a given master in one or two provinces or localities and show them on a map. For example, search Miyun Yuanwu’s dharma heir within three generations who resided in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces.
Search the name and number of abbots who resided in a given monastery in a given time period. For example, list all abbots who resided in Tiantong monastery from 1600-1700.