Huaiyu Chen examines how Buddhist ideas about animals changed and were changed by medieval Chinese culture. He explores the entangled relations among animals, religions, the state, and local communities, considering both the multivalent meanings associated with animals and the daily experience of living with the natural world.
The study explores the interaction between animals and plants within the context of medieval Chinese religions and science. It highlights how religious figures engaged with these elements of material culture, illustrating the reciprocal enrichment of the spiritual and natural worlds during this period. By examining these relationships, the book sheds light on the significance of flora and fauna in shaping cultural and religious practices in medieval China.