This collection of eight essays about China, Korea and Japan from the seventh to the tenth century constitutes an overview of religion, art and politics during one of the most creative periods of East Asian history. The essays are primarily concerned with Buddhism and its relationship to Chinese culture and the Chinese state during the Tang Dynasty. Five of the essays are in English, and three are in Italian.

This volume is part of a series by the Italian School of East Asian Studies (ISEAS) research institute, which focuses on the history, culture, literature, and religion of East Asia. These works include references in Chinese and Japanese for important terms, concepts and bibliographical sources throughout.