摘要
A commentarial project commissioned by emperor Ming Taizu （r.1368-1398） in 1377, which was dedicated to the Prajnaparamita-hrdaya-sutra, theVajracchedika-prajfiaparamita-sutra, and the Lankavatara-sutra, defined coherent standards of Buddhist learning by reference to early Chinese translations and Indian commentarial literature. In order to provide a clear-cut basis for the education of the clergy, its selective and reductive approach aimed at a standardization of doctrine and homogenization of terminology. Production and purport of the commentarial project are documented in a series of paratexts, prefaces, colophons, production notes and memoranda. They indicate a strong consciousness for the institutional, ideological and political aspects of the production procedure and its benefits for controlling the formation of Buddhist authority. Such decidedly functional under- standing of the institutional aspects of the production of exegesis leads to the conclusion that besides the normativity of doctrinal knowledge the main objective was to establish a basis for institutional integration of those who are in the privileged position to select whom they allow to assume authority, and to define the selection standards as well.
