Famen Temple and Buddhist Culture (1988 First Edition)

Published by Shaanxi Normal University Press in 1988 as part of the "History of Science and Culture Series", Famen Temple and Buddhist Culture is the first popular academic work in China to systematically introduce the history and Buddhist culture of Famen Temple after the archaeological discovery of its underground palace, and a representative early study of the temple.
Background & Content
Publication Context: Following the world-shaking archaeological excavation of Famen Temple's underground palace in 1987, this book was published in 1988 as one of the earliest works to interpret the temple's cultural significance using the new findings, marking a pioneering contribution of its era.
Core Focus: Centered on Famen Temple's historical evolution, underground palace treasures, and Buddhist cultural connotations, the book balances academic rigor with readability. It traces the temple's development from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty and explains the historical importance of artifacts unearthed in the palace, such as the gilt tin staff and golden pagoda, serving as an important introduction to Famen Temple for the general public at the time.
Academic Significance: As an early work during the "Famen Temple craze", it laid the foundation for subsequent research on the temple's culture and remains an important document recording the wave of Buddhist studies in 1980s China.
Edition & Binding Details
Edition Information: First printed in May 1988 with a limited run of 10,000 copies and a price of 1.50 yuan, it is a typical example of 1980s popular academic publications, now scarce and of great commemorative value.
Design & Binding: The cover combines images of archaeological artifacts and temple scenery, with clean typography on the spine and interior pages. The back cover features an inscription by Zhou Gucheng, reflecting the plain yet dignified style of the era with both historical character and academic appeal.
Historical Meaning: This book documents the pivotal period when Famen Temple transformed from an ordinary ancient temple into a world-class Buddhist cultural heritage, acting as an early bridge between the public and the temple's profound cultural legacy.