... Buddhist involvement in
armed revolts—they proved the dangers inherent in the foreign faith. For
the chaotic decade of Sui-Tang transition alone (the 610s) they noted no
fewer than ve revolts ... Administration the world over.
6
Shaolin’s intense commercialization perplexes some of its devotees. De-
vout Buddhists and committed martial artists aspire to the serenity of self-
cultivation. ... military action. “Everyone should
peacefully resume his previous vocation” (ge an jiu ye) is a reminder to the
Shaolin clerics that their vocation is Buddhist learning. The Prince of Qin,
who was...