1. BGIS: A Searchable Relational Database of Buddhist Monasteries in China Jiang Wu 吳疆,Associate Professor, The University of Arizona

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Design Model Query Database A Monasteries in Tang Database B Monasteries in Song Database C Monasteries in Ming Personal Info Monk Info Literati Info Monastery Info Text Info Images and Pictures Gazetteer Info Database D Monastery in Modern China

6. 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.

7. 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.