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Which emperor had killed close relatives to ascend the throne?

2013-04-14T16:08:25Z

Lela S: /* QING DYNASTY */

==HAN DYNASTY==

Emperor Cheng was unable to produce a son with his Empress or his many concubines. The Empress Dowager Wang was desperate for a grandson that could inherit the throng. Cheng eventually took on many more concubines including to two dancing girls who were sisters, Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede. Cheng favored them over his wife and the Zhao sisters eventually falsely accused Empress Xu and Consort Ban of witchcraft. Empress Xu was disposed though the Empress Dowager refused to allow a marriage of one of the sisters to Cheng due to their low class standing.

It is suspected that Consort Zhao Hede murdered two sons that Emperor Cheng had with two other concubines. This was done possibly out of jealousy, according to a report commissioned by Empress Dowager Wang. The boys were killed in their infancy and one of their mothers, Consort Cao committed suicide not long after her son was killed. These murders were done with the agreement of Emperor Cheng who eventually named his nephew the Crown Prince(History - Historical Figures. Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir).

==SUI DYNASTY==

Though there was no accusations at the time and still no concrete evidence, it is still hightly suspected that Emperor Yang ordered the death of his father, Emperor Wen. A detailed account of Emperor Wens last days is given by Zizhi Tongjian who says that Yang tried to have sex with one of Emperor Wen's consorts and when she reported the incident to the Emperor he was furious. Interestingly enough, Yang took her and another of Wen's consorts as his own concubines not long after he inherited the throne. The theory that Yang killed Wen came years after but there are major inconsistencies in that story, including a change in which concubine Yang tried to seduce. However, the theory has been passed on in Chinese culture for so long that is often mistaken to be historical fact. In all likelihood we will never known for sure if murder was the cause of Emperor Wen's death. (History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen?).

Before his death, Eperor Wen himself had actually secured his position as Emperor by deposing the current Emperor, who was a child of only six years old (New World Encyclopedia). However, it is also speculated that he killed dozens of other potential Princes who help claim to the throne in order to protect his position (Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty).

==TANG DYNASTY==

Emperor Gaozu helped overthrow Emperor Yang of Sui. After many years of preparation and fighting, Yang was killed during a coup but not by Gaozu himself.

[[File:340px-TangTaizong.jpg]]

Li Shimin, later known as Emperor Taizang(599-649) led an insurrection against his father, Emperor Gaozu. He had assisted during the rebellion against the Sui and had a impressive military background. Despite this, his older brother, Li Jiancheng, was named crown price. However, as fighting in other parts of China escalated, Li Shimin was the one sent to fight. The capitol eventually began to split into factions, though loyal to Li Shimin and those to the crown prince. The rivalry increased through the years and Li Jiancheng is suspected of an assassination attempt against Li Shimin at least once. Li Shimin eventually ambushed his older and younger brother, killed them, as well as their sons to ensure they could not threaten his place on the throne. Li Shimin deposed his father and became Emperor in the year 626 (source: Taizong of Tang Dynasty). He did not kill Gaozu, who “lived on as Grand Emperor (Taishang Huang) until his death in 635" ("Li Yuan").

==MING DYNASTY==

Emperor Jiajing (1507-1567) was known for his cruelty. When he came into power he had those who disagree with him beaten, tortured, killed, or exiled (Britannica). He was also violent against his many concubines. Eventually, eighteen of them planned to kill him while he slept. Using a hair ribbon they tied it around his neck but after putting a knot in it, they could not pull it tight enough to suffocate him. One of the girls lost her nerve and ran to the Empress who raised the alarm. All the girls were put to death threw the long, painful and dishonorable process of Lingchi ("Beijing History"). The concubines families were also killed as punishment for their crime.

==QING DYNASTY==

Emperor Yongzheng was the fourth son of at least fourteen and the eldest born by the Empress. when the previous Emperor renounced Yongzhengs older brother after a scandal he did not name a new heir. A rivalry started between several of the sons, fighting for support and power from people in the capitol. It is widely believed that Yongzheng poisoned his father and then changed the will from the "14th son should inherit" to the "4th son should inherit" (source: Yongzheng). The murder has never been proven and historians do not believe the will could have been changed so easily("Yongzheng").

After becoming Emperor, Yongzheng proceeded to arrest many of his brothers(Spence, p 74). The former heir apparent and two other brothers died in prison but it is unknown if they were murdered or not (Spence, p 74). Another sourcesays that Emperor Yonngzheng had all but one of his brothers killed ("Beijing History").

Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was rumored to have killed many of her family members. She took control of Emperor Tongzhi as he was a young Emperor and supposedly had him poisoned in 1875 when he was 19 years old. It is more widely believed now that he died of smallpox(Paludan). She then proceeded to persuade the pregnant wife of Tongzhi, Alute, to commit suicide by eating gold dust two months after Tongzhi's death in order to put her nephew Guanxu on the throne (Pakula). Guanxu was only four years old when put on the throne and therefore easily controled by Cixi. One murder the Empress definitely committed was that of her nephew, Emperor Guanxu, who she killed with arsenic in 1908. Empress Dowager Cixi died 22 hours after her nephew of old age. It is possible that Cixi knew of her approaching death and had Guanxu killed so he could not continue the reforms he had put in place ("Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor").

==SOURCES CITED==

"Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor, Reports Say."CNN WORLD. 4 Nov. 2008. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-04/world/china.emperor_1_arsenic-poisoning-arsenic-levels-china-central-television?_s=PM:WORLD>.

"Beijing History." Beijing Made Easy. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.beijingmadeeasy.com/beijing-history/Chinese-Emperors>.

"Dictionary - Definition of Patricide." Webster's Online Dictionary - with Multilingual Thesaurus Translation. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/patricide>.

"Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty." , Chinese Culture, China Highlights. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/emperor-taizong.htm>.

"History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen? Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/46H9791H13777.html>.

"History - Historical Figures." Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/48H7889H12764.html>.

"Jiajing". Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/110094/Jiajing>

"Li Yuan." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Li_Yuan>.

"Emperor Wen of Sui.", New World Encyclopedia. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Emperor_Wen_of_Sui>

Pakula Hannah. The last empress: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the birth of modern China. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2009.

Paludan, Ann. Chronicle of the Chinese Emerors. New York: Thames & Hudson Inc., 1998.

"Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty (581-618) - Imperial China - History - China - Asia." Countries Quest. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/china/history/imperial_china/reunification_under_the_sui_dynasty_581-618.htm>.

Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. Print.

"Yongzheng." Chinaculture. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22919.htm>.

Which emperor had killed close relatives to ascend the throne?

2013-04-14T15:57:42Z

Lela S: /* QING DYNASTY */

==HAN DYNASTY==

Emperor Cheng was unable to produce a son with his Empress or his many concubines. The Empress Dowager Wang was desperate for a grandson that could inherit the throng. Cheng eventually took on many more concubines including to two dancing girls who were sisters, Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede. Cheng favored them over his wife and the Zhao sisters eventually falsely accused Empress Xu and Consort Ban of witchcraft. Empress Xu was disposed though the Empress Dowager refused to allow a marriage of one of the sisters to Cheng due to their low class standing.

It is suspected that Consort Zhao Hede murdered two sons that Emperor Cheng had with two other concubines. This was done possibly out of jealousy, according to a report commissioned by Empress Dowager Wang. The boys were killed in their infancy and one of their mothers, Consort Cao committed suicide not long after her son was killed. These murders were done with the agreement of Emperor Cheng who eventually named his nephew the Crown Prince(History - Historical Figures. Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir).

==SUI DYNASTY==

Though there was no accusations at the time and still no concrete evidence, it is still hightly suspected that Emperor Yang ordered the death of his father, Emperor Wen. A detailed account of Emperor Wens last days is given by Zizhi Tongjian who says that Yang tried to have sex with one of Emperor Wen's consorts and when she reported the incident to the Emperor he was furious. Interestingly enough, Yang took her and another of Wen's consorts as his own concubines not long after he inherited the throne. The theory that Yang killed Wen came years after but there are major inconsistencies in that story, including a change in which concubine Yang tried to seduce. However, the theory has been passed on in Chinese culture for so long that is often mistaken to be historical fact. In all likelihood we will never known for sure if murder was the cause of Emperor Wen's death. (History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen?).

Before his death, Eperor Wen himself had actually secured his position as Emperor by deposing the current Emperor, who was a child of only six years old (New World Encyclopedia). However, it is also speculated that he killed dozens of other potential Princes who help claim to the throne in order to protect his position (Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty).

==TANG DYNASTY==

Emperor Gaozu helped overthrow Emperor Yang of Sui. After many years of preparation and fighting, Yang was killed during a coup but not by Gaozu himself.

[[File:340px-TangTaizong.jpg]]

Li Shimin, later known as Emperor Taizang(599-649) led an insurrection against his father, Emperor Gaozu. He had assisted during the rebellion against the Sui and had a impressive military background. Despite this, his older brother, Li Jiancheng, was named crown price. However, as fighting in other parts of China escalated, Li Shimin was the one sent to fight. The capitol eventually began to split into factions, though loyal to Li Shimin and those to the crown prince. The rivalry increased through the years and Li Jiancheng is suspected of an assassination attempt against Li Shimin at least once. Li Shimin eventually ambushed his older and younger brother, killed them, as well as their sons to ensure they could not threaten his place on the throne. Li Shimin deposed his father and became Emperor in the year 626 (source: Taizong of Tang Dynasty). He did not kill Gaozu, who “lived on as Grand Emperor (Taishang Huang) until his death in 635" ("Li Yuan").

==MING DYNASTY==

Emperor Jiajing (1507-1567) was known for his cruelty. When he came into power he had those who disagree with him beaten, tortured, killed, or exiled (Britannica). He was also violent against his many concubines. Eventually, eighteen of them planned to kill him while he slept. Using a hair ribbon they tied it around his neck but after putting a knot in it, they could not pull it tight enough to suffocate him. One of the girls lost her nerve and ran to the Empress who raised the alarm. All the girls were put to death threw the long, painful and dishonorable process of Lingchi ("Beijing History"). The concubines families were also killed as punishment for their crime.

==QING DYNASTY==

Emperor Yongzheng was the fourth son of at least fourteen and the eldest born by the Empress. when the previous Emperor renounced Yongzhengs older brother after a scandal he did not name a new heir. A rivalry started between several of the sons, fighting for support and power from people in the capitol. It is widely believed that Yongzheng poisoned his father and then changed the will from the "14th son should inherit" to the "4th son should inherit" (source: Yongzheng). The murder has never been proven and historians do not believe the will could have been changed so easily("Yongzheng").

After becoming Emperor, Yongzheng proceeded to arrest many of his brothers(Spence, p 74). The former heir apparent and two other brothers died in prison but it is unknown if they were murdered or not (Spence, p 74). Another sourcesays that Emperor Yonngzheng had all but one of his brothers killed ("Beijing History").

Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was rumored to have killed many of her family members. She supposedly had her son, emperor Tongzhi, poisoned in 1875 when he was 19 years old (Paludan). She then proceeded to persuade the pregnant wife of Tongzhi, Alute, to commit suicide by eating gold dust two months after Tongzhi's death in order to put her nephew Guanxu on the throne (Pakula). One murder the Empress definitely commited was that of her nephew and adopted song, Guanxu, who she killed with arsenic in 1908. Empress Dowager Cixi died 22 hours after her nephew of old age ("Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor").

==SOURCES CITED==

"Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor, Reports Say."CNN WORLD. 4 Nov. 2008. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-04/world/china.emperor_1_arsenic-poisoning-arsenic-levels-china-central-television?_s=PM:WORLD>.

"Beijing History." Beijing Made Easy. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.beijingmadeeasy.com/beijing-history/Chinese-Emperors>.

"Dictionary - Definition of Patricide." Webster's Online Dictionary - with Multilingual Thesaurus Translation. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/patricide>.

"Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty." , Chinese Culture, China Highlights. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/emperor-taizong.htm>.

"History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen? Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/46H9791H13777.html>.

"History - Historical Figures." Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/48H7889H12764.html>.

"Jiajing". Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/110094/Jiajing>

"Li Yuan." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Li_Yuan>.

"Emperor Wen of Sui.", New World Encyclopedia. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Emperor_Wen_of_Sui>

Pakula Hannah. The last empress: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the birth of modern China. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2009.

Paludan, Ann. Chronicle of the Chinese Emerors. New York: Thames & Hudson Inc., 1998.

"Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty (581-618) - Imperial China - History - China - Asia." Countries Quest. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/china/history/imperial_china/reunification_under_the_sui_dynasty_581-618.htm>.

Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. Print.

"Yongzheng." Chinaculture. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22919.htm>.

Which emperor had killed close relatives to ascend the throne?

2013-04-14T06:59:40Z

Lela S:

==HAN DYNASTY==

Emperor Cheng was unable to produce a son with his Empress or his many concubines. The Empress Dowager Wang was desperate for a grandson that could inherit the throng. Cheng eventually took on many more concubines including to two dancing girls who were sisters, Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede. Cheng favored them over his wife and the Zhao sisters eventually falsely accused Empress Xu and Consort Ban of witchcraft. Empress Xu was disposed though the Empress Dowager refused to allow a marriage of one of the sisters to Cheng due to their low class standing.

It is suspected that Consort Zhao Hede murdered two sons that Emperor Cheng had with two other concubines. This was done possibly out of jealousy, according to a report commissioned by Empress Dowager Wang. The boys were killed in their infancy and one of their mothers, Consort Cao committed suicide not long after her son was killed. These murders were done with the agreement of Emperor Cheng who eventually named his nephew the Crown Prince(History - Historical Figures. Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir).

==SUI DYNASTY==

Though there was no accusations at the time and still no concrete evidence, it is still hightly suspected that Emperor Yang ordered the death of his father, Emperor Wen. A detailed account of Emperor Wens last days is given by Zizhi Tongjian who says that Yang tried to have sex with one of Emperor Wen's consorts and when she reported the incident to the Emperor he was furious. Interestingly enough, Yang took her and another of Wen's consorts as his own concubines not long after he inherited the throne. The theory that Yang killed Wen came years after but there are major inconsistencies in that story, including a change in which concubine Yang tried to seduce. However, the theory has been passed on in Chinese culture for so long that is often mistaken to be historical fact. In all likelihood we will never known for sure if murder was the cause of Emperor Wen's death. (History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen?).

Before his death, Eperor Wen himself had actually secured his position as Emperor by deposing the current Emperor, who was a child of only six years old (New World Encyclopedia). However, it is also speculated that he killed dozens of other potential Princes who help claim to the throne in order to protect his position (Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty).

==TANG DYNASTY==

Emperor Gaozu helped overthrow Emperor Yang of Sui. After many years of preparation and fighting, Yang was killed during a coup but not by Gaozu himself.

[[File:340px-TangTaizong.jpg]]

Li Shimin, later known as Emperor Taizang(599-649) led an insurrection against his father, Emperor Gaozu. He had assisted during the rebellion against the Sui and had a impressive military background. Despite this, his older brother, Li Jiancheng, was named crown price. However, as fighting in other parts of China escalated, Li Shimin was the one sent to fight. The capitol eventually began to split into factions, though loyal to Li Shimin and those to the crown prince. The rivalry increased through the years and Li Jiancheng is suspected of an assassination attempt against Li Shimin at least once. Li Shimin eventually ambushed his older and younger brother, killed them, as well as their sons to ensure they could not threaten his place on the throne. Li Shimin deposed his father and became Emperor in the year 626 (source: Taizong of Tang Dynasty). He did not kill Gaozu, who “lived on as Grand Emperor (Taishang Huang) until his death in 635" ("Li Yuan").

==MING DYNASTY==

Emperor Jiajing (1507-1567) was known for his cruelty. When he came into power he had those who disagree with him beaten, tortured, killed, or exiled (Britannica). He was also violent against his many concubines. Eventually, eighteen of them planned to kill him while he slept. Using a hair ribbon they tied it around his neck but after putting a knot in it, they could not pull it tight enough to suffocate him. One of the girls lost her nerve and ran to the Empress who raised the alarm. All the girls were put to death threw the long, painful and dishonorable process of Lingchi ("Beijing History"). The concubines families were also killed as punishment for their crime.

==QING DYNASTY==

Emperor Yongzheng was rumored to have poisoned his father, emperor Kanxi. Yongzheng supposedly added a stroke in one of the characters of the Emperor’s proclamation which changed the statement "…pass the throne to 14th son" to "pass the throne to 4th son“ (source: Yongzheng). The murder has never been proven, although it is likely that Yongzheng tampered with the Emperor's will (" Yongzheng").

After becoming Emperor, Yongzheng proceeded to arrest many of his brothers(Spence, p 74). The former heir apparent and two other brothers died in prison but it is unknown if they were murdered or not (Spence, p 74). Another sourcesays that Emperor Yonngzheng had all but one of his brothers killed ("Beijing History").

Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was rumored to have killed many of her family members. She supposedly had her son, emperor Tongzhi, poisoned in 1875 when he was 19 years old (Paludan). She then proceeded to persuade the pregnant wife of Tongzhi, Alute, to commit suicide by eating gold dust two months after Tongzhi's death in order to put her nephew Guanxu on the throne (Pakula). One murder the Empress definitely commited was that of her nephew and adopted song, Guanxu, who she killed with arsenic in 1908. Empress Dowager Cixi died 22 hours after her nephew of old age ("Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor").

==SOURCES CITED==

"Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor, Reports Say."CNN WORLD. 4 Nov. 2008. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-04/world/china.emperor_1_arsenic-poisoning-arsenic-levels-china-central-television?_s=PM:WORLD>.

"Beijing History." Beijing Made Easy. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.beijingmadeeasy.com/beijing-history/Chinese-Emperors>.

"Dictionary - Definition of Patricide." Webster's Online Dictionary - with Multilingual Thesaurus Translation. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/patricide>.

"Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty." , Chinese Culture, China Highlights. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/emperor-taizong.htm>.

"History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen? Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/46H9791H13777.html>.

"History - Historical Figures." Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/48H7889H12764.html>.

"Jiajing". Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/110094/Jiajing>

"Li Yuan." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Li_Yuan>.

"Emperor Wen of Sui.", New World Encyclopedia. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Emperor_Wen_of_Sui>

Pakula Hannah. The last empress: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the birth of modern China. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2009.

Paludan, Ann. Chronicle of the Chinese Emerors. New York: Thames & Hudson Inc., 1998.

"Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty (581-618) - Imperial China - History - China - Asia." Countries Quest. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/china/history/imperial_china/reunification_under_the_sui_dynasty_581-618.htm>.

Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. Print.

"Yongzheng." Chinaculture. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22919.htm>.

Which emperor had killed close relatives to ascend the throne?

2013-04-14T06:58:14Z

Lela S: /* MING DYNASTY */

==HAN DYNASTY==

Emperor Cheng was unable to produce a son with his Empress or his many concubines. The Empress Dowager Wang was desperate for a grandson that could inherit the throng. Cheng eventually took on many more concubines including to two dancing girls who were sisters, Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede. Cheng favored them over his wife and the Zhao sisters eventually falsely accused Empress Xu and Consort Ban of witchcraft. Empress Xu was disposed though the Empress Dowager refused to allow a marriage of one of the sisters to Cheng due to their low class standing.

It is suspected that Consort Zhao Hede murdered two sons that Emperor Cheng had with two other concubines. This was done possibly out of jealousy, according to a report commissioned by Empress Dowager Wang. The boys were killed in their infancy and one of their mothers, Consort Cao committed suicide not long after her son was killed. These murders were done with the agreement of Emperor Cheng who eventually named his nephew the Crown Prince(History - Historical Figures. Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir).

==SUI DYNASTY==

Though there was no accusations at the time and still no concrete evidence, it is still hightly suspected that Emperor Yang ordered the death of his father, Emperor Wen. A detailed account of Emperor Wens last days is given by Zizhi Tongjian who says that Yang tried to have sex with one of Emperor Wen's consorts and when she reported the incident to the Emperor he was furious. Interestingly enough, Yang took her and another of Wen's consorts as his own concubines not long after he inherited the throne. The theory that Yang killed Wen came years after but there are major inconsistencies in that story, including a change in which concubine Yang tried to seduce. However, the theory has been passed on in Chinese culture for so long that is often mistaken to be historical fact. In all likelihood we will never known for sure if murder was the cause of Emperor Wen's death. (History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen?).

Before his death, Eperor Wen himself had actually secured his position as Emperor by deposing the current Emperor, who was a child of only six years old (New World Encyclopedia). However, it is also speculated that he killed dozens of other potential Princes who help claim to the throne in order to protect his position (Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty).

==TANG DYNASTY==

Emperor Gaozu helped overthrow Emperor Yang of Sui. After many years of preparation and fighting, Yang was killed during a coup but not by Gaozu himself.

[[File:340px-TangTaizong.jpg]]

Li Shimin, later known as Emperor Taizang(599-649) led an insurrection against his father, Emperor Gaozu. He had assisted during the rebellion against the Sui and had a impressive military background. Despite this, his older brother, Li Jiancheng, was named crown price. However, as fighting in other parts of China escalated, Li Shimin was the one sent to fight. The capitol eventually began to split into factions, though loyal to Li Shimin and those to the crown prince. The rivalry increased through the years and Li Jiancheng is suspected of an assassination attempt against Li Shimin at least once. Li Shimin eventually ambushed his older and younger brother, killed them, as well as their sons to ensure they could not threaten his place on the throne. Li Shimin deposed his father and became Emperor in the year 626 (source: Taizong of Tang Dynasty). He did not kill Gaozu, who “lived on as Grand Emperor (Taishang Huang) until his death in 635" ("Li Yuan").

==MING DYNASTY==

Emperor Jiajing (1507-1567) was known for his cruelty. When he came into power he had those who disagree with him beaten, tortured, killed, or exiled (Britannica). He was also violent against his many concubines. Eventually, eighteen of them planned to kill him while he slept. Using a hair ribbon they tied it around his neck but after putting a knot in it, they could not pull it tight enough to suffocate him. One of the girls lost her nerve and ran to the Empress who raised the alarm. All the girls were put to death threw the long, painful and dishonorable process of Lingchi ("Beijing History"). The concubines families were also killed as punishment for their crime.

==QING DYNASTY==

Emperor Yongzheng was rumored to have poisoned his father, emperor Kanxi. Yongzheng supposedly added a stroke in one of the characters of the Emperor’s proclamation which changed the statement "…pass the throne to 14th son" to "pass the throne to 4th son“ (source: Yongzheng). The murder has never been proven, although it is likely that Yongzheng tampered with the Emperor's will (" Yongzheng").

After becoming Emperor, Yongzheng proceeded to arrest many of his brothers(Spence, p 74). The former heir apparent and two other brothers died in prison but it is unknown if they were murdered or not (Spence, p 74). Another sourcesays that Emperor Yonngzheng had all but one of his brothers killed ("Beijing History").

Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was rumored to have killed many of her family members. She supposedly had her son, emperor Tongzhi, poisoned in 1875 when he was 19 years old (Paludan). She then proceeded to persuade the pregnant wife of Tongzhi, Alute, to commit suicide by eating gold dust two months after Tongzhi's death in order to put her nephew Guanxu on the throne (Pakula). One murder the Empress definitely commited was that of her nephew and adopted song, Guanxu, who she killed with arsenic in 1908. Empress Dowager Cixi died 22 hours after her nephew of old age ("Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor").

==SOURCES CITED==

"Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor, Reports Say."CNN WORLD. 4 Nov. 2008. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-04/world/china.emperor_1_arsenic-poisoning-arsenic-levels-china-central-television?_s=PM:WORLD>.

"Beijing History." Beijing Made Easy. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.beijingmadeeasy.com/beijing-history/Chinese-Emperors>.

"Dictionary - Definition of Patricide." Webster's Online Dictionary - with Multilingual Thesaurus Translation. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/patricide>.

"Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty." , Chinese Culture, China Highlights. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/emperor-taizong.htm>.

"History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen? Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/46H9791H13777.html>.

"History - Historical Figures." Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/48H7889H12764.html>.

"Li Yuan." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Li_Yuan>.

"Emperor Wen of Sui.", New World Encyclopedia. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Emperor_Wen_of_Sui>

Pakula Hannah. The last empress: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the birth of modern China. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2009.

Paludan, Ann. Chronicle of the Chinese Emerors. New York: Thames & Hudson Inc., 1998.

"Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty (581-618) - Imperial China - History - China - Asia." Countries Quest. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/china/history/imperial_china/reunification_under_the_sui_dynasty_581-618.htm>.

Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. Print.

"Yongzheng." Chinaculture. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22919.htm>.

Which emperor had killed close relatives to ascend the throne?

2013-04-14T06:42:59Z

Lela S: /* TANG DYNASTY */

==HAN DYNASTY==

Emperor Cheng was unable to produce a son with his Empress or his many concubines. The Empress Dowager Wang was desperate for a grandson that could inherit the throng. Cheng eventually took on many more concubines including to two dancing girls who were sisters, Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede. Cheng favored them over his wife and the Zhao sisters eventually falsely accused Empress Xu and Consort Ban of witchcraft. Empress Xu was disposed though the Empress Dowager refused to allow a marriage of one of the sisters to Cheng due to their low class standing.

It is suspected that Consort Zhao Hede murdered two sons that Emperor Cheng had with two other concubines. This was done possibly out of jealousy, according to a report commissioned by Empress Dowager Wang. The boys were killed in their infancy and one of their mothers, Consort Cao committed suicide not long after her son was killed. These murders were done with the agreement of Emperor Cheng who eventually named his nephew the Crown Prince(History - Historical Figures. Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir).

==SUI DYNASTY==

Though there was no accusations at the time and still no concrete evidence, it is still hightly suspected that Emperor Yang ordered the death of his father, Emperor Wen. A detailed account of Emperor Wens last days is given by Zizhi Tongjian who says that Yang tried to have sex with one of Emperor Wen's consorts and when she reported the incident to the Emperor he was furious. Interestingly enough, Yang took her and another of Wen's consorts as his own concubines not long after he inherited the throne. The theory that Yang killed Wen came years after but there are major inconsistencies in that story, including a change in which concubine Yang tried to seduce. However, the theory has been passed on in Chinese culture for so long that is often mistaken to be historical fact. In all likelihood we will never known for sure if murder was the cause of Emperor Wen's death. (History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen?).

Before his death, Eperor Wen himself had actually secured his position as Emperor by deposing the current Emperor, who was a child of only six years old (New World Encyclopedia). However, it is also speculated that he killed dozens of other potential Princes who help claim to the throne in order to protect his position (Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty).

==TANG DYNASTY==

Emperor Gaozu helped overthrow Emperor Yang of Sui. After many years of preparation and fighting, Yang was killed during a coup but not by Gaozu himself.

[[File:340px-TangTaizong.jpg]]

Li Shimin, later known as Emperor Taizang(599-649) led an insurrection against his father, Emperor Gaozu. He had assisted during the rebellion against the Sui and had a impressive military background. Despite this, his older brother, Li Jiancheng, was named crown price. However, as fighting in other parts of China escalated, Li Shimin was the one sent to fight. The capitol eventually began to split into factions, though loyal to Li Shimin and those to the crown prince. The rivalry increased through the years and Li Jiancheng is suspected of an assassination attempt against Li Shimin at least once. Li Shimin eventually ambushed his older and younger brother, killed them, as well as their sons to ensure they could not threaten his place on the throne. Li Shimin deposed his father and became Emperor in the year 626 (source: Taizong of Tang Dynasty). He did not kill Gaozu, who “lived on as Grand Emperor (Taishang Huang) until his death in 635" ("Li Yuan").

==MING DYNASTY==

Emperor Jiajing (1507-1567) “was so violent towards his first Empress that she had a miscarriage. Later eighteen of his concubines jointly tried to strangle him. He would have died had not one of the eighteen lost her nerve and sounded the alarm" ("Beijing History").

==QING DYNASTY==

Emperor Yongzheng was rumored to have poisoned his father, emperor Kanxi. Yongzheng supposedly added a stroke in one of the characters of the Emperor’s proclamation which changed the statement "…pass the throne to 14th son" to "pass the throne to 4th son“ (source: Yongzheng). The murder has never been proven, although it is likely that Yongzheng tampered with the Emperor's will (" Yongzheng").

After becoming Emperor, Yongzheng proceeded to arrest many of his brothers(Spence, p 74). The former heir apparent and two other brothers died in prison but it is unknown if they were murdered or not (Spence, p 74). Another sourcesays that Emperor Yonngzheng had all but one of his brothers killed ("Beijing History").

Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was rumored to have killed many of her family members. She supposedly had her son, emperor Tongzhi, poisoned in 1875 when he was 19 years old (Paludan). She then proceeded to persuade the pregnant wife of Tongzhi, Alute, to commit suicide by eating gold dust two months after Tongzhi's death in order to put her nephew Guanxu on the throne (Pakula). One murder the Empress definitely commited was that of her nephew and adopted song, Guanxu, who she killed with arsenic in 1908. Empress Dowager Cixi died 22 hours after her nephew of old age ("Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor").

==SOURCES CITED==

"Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor, Reports Say."CNN WORLD. 4 Nov. 2008. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-04/world/china.emperor_1_arsenic-poisoning-arsenic-levels-china-central-television?_s=PM:WORLD>.

"Beijing History." Beijing Made Easy. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.beijingmadeeasy.com/beijing-history/Chinese-Emperors>.

"Dictionary - Definition of Patricide." Webster's Online Dictionary - with Multilingual Thesaurus Translation. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/patricide>.

"Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty." , Chinese Culture, China Highlights. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/emperor-taizong.htm>.

"History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen? Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/46H9791H13777.html>.

"History - Historical Figures." Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/48H7889H12764.html>.

"Li Yuan." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Li_Yuan>.

"Emperor Wen of Sui.", New World Encyclopedia. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Emperor_Wen_of_Sui>

Pakula Hannah. The last empress: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the birth of modern China. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2009.

Paludan, Ann. Chronicle of the Chinese Emerors. New York: Thames & Hudson Inc., 1998.

"Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty (581-618) - Imperial China - History - China - Asia." Countries Quest. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/china/history/imperial_china/reunification_under_the_sui_dynasty_581-618.htm>.

Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. Print.

"Yongzheng." Chinaculture. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22919.htm>.

Which emperor had killed close relatives to ascend the throne?

2013-04-14T06:42:30Z

Lela S: /* TANG DYNASTY */

==HAN DYNASTY==

Emperor Cheng was unable to produce a son with his Empress or his many concubines. The Empress Dowager Wang was desperate for a grandson that could inherit the throng. Cheng eventually took on many more concubines including to two dancing girls who were sisters, Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede. Cheng favored them over his wife and the Zhao sisters eventually falsely accused Empress Xu and Consort Ban of witchcraft. Empress Xu was disposed though the Empress Dowager refused to allow a marriage of one of the sisters to Cheng due to their low class standing.

It is suspected that Consort Zhao Hede murdered two sons that Emperor Cheng had with two other concubines. This was done possibly out of jealousy, according to a report commissioned by Empress Dowager Wang. The boys were killed in their infancy and one of their mothers, Consort Cao committed suicide not long after her son was killed. These murders were done with the agreement of Emperor Cheng who eventually named his nephew the Crown Prince(History - Historical Figures. Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir).

==SUI DYNASTY==

Though there was no accusations at the time and still no concrete evidence, it is still hightly suspected that Emperor Yang ordered the death of his father, Emperor Wen. A detailed account of Emperor Wens last days is given by Zizhi Tongjian who says that Yang tried to have sex with one of Emperor Wen's consorts and when she reported the incident to the Emperor he was furious. Interestingly enough, Yang took her and another of Wen's consorts as his own concubines not long after he inherited the throne. The theory that Yang killed Wen came years after but there are major inconsistencies in that story, including a change in which concubine Yang tried to seduce. However, the theory has been passed on in Chinese culture for so long that is often mistaken to be historical fact. In all likelihood we will never known for sure if murder was the cause of Emperor Wen's death. (History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen?).

Before his death, Eperor Wen himself had actually secured his position as Emperor by deposing the current Emperor, who was a child of only six years old (New World Encyclopedia). However, it is also speculated that he killed dozens of other potential Princes who help claim to the throne in order to protect his position (Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty).

==TANG DYNASTY==

Emperor Gaozu helped overthrow Emperor Yang of Sui. After many years of preparation and fighting, Yang was killed during a coup but not by Gaozu himself.
[[File:340px-TangTaizong.jpg]]
Li Shimin, later known as Emperor Taizang(599-649) led an insurrection against his father, Emperor Gaozu. He had assisted during the rebellion against the Sui and had a impressive military background. Despite this, his older brother, Li Jiancheng, was named crown price. However, as fighting in other parts of China escalated, Li Shimin was the one sent to fight. The capitol eventually began to split into factions, though loyal to Li Shimin and those to the crown prince. The rivalry increased through the years and Li Jiancheng is suspected of an assassination attempt against Li Shimin at least once. Li Shimin eventually ambushed his older and younger brother, killed them, as well as their sons to ensure they could not threaten his place on the throne. Li Shimin deposed his father and became Emperor in the year 626 (source: Taizong of Tang Dynasty). He did not kill Gaozu, who “lived on as Grand Emperor (Taishang Huang) until his death in 635" ("Li Yuan").

==MING DYNASTY==

Emperor Jiajing (1507-1567) “was so violent towards his first Empress that she had a miscarriage. Later eighteen of his concubines jointly tried to strangle him. He would have died had not one of the eighteen lost her nerve and sounded the alarm" ("Beijing History").

==QING DYNASTY==

Emperor Yongzheng was rumored to have poisoned his father, emperor Kanxi. Yongzheng supposedly added a stroke in one of the characters of the Emperor’s proclamation which changed the statement "…pass the throne to 14th son" to "pass the throne to 4th son“ (source: Yongzheng). The murder has never been proven, although it is likely that Yongzheng tampered with the Emperor's will (" Yongzheng").

After becoming Emperor, Yongzheng proceeded to arrest many of his brothers(Spence, p 74). The former heir apparent and two other brothers died in prison but it is unknown if they were murdered or not (Spence, p 74). Another sourcesays that Emperor Yonngzheng had all but one of his brothers killed ("Beijing History").

Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was rumored to have killed many of her family members. She supposedly had her son, emperor Tongzhi, poisoned in 1875 when he was 19 years old (Paludan). She then proceeded to persuade the pregnant wife of Tongzhi, Alute, to commit suicide by eating gold dust two months after Tongzhi's death in order to put her nephew Guanxu on the throne (Pakula). One murder the Empress definitely commited was that of her nephew and adopted song, Guanxu, who she killed with arsenic in 1908. Empress Dowager Cixi died 22 hours after her nephew of old age ("Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor").

==SOURCES CITED==

"Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor, Reports Say."CNN WORLD. 4 Nov. 2008. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-04/world/china.emperor_1_arsenic-poisoning-arsenic-levels-china-central-television?_s=PM:WORLD>.

"Beijing History." Beijing Made Easy. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.beijingmadeeasy.com/beijing-history/Chinese-Emperors>.

"Dictionary - Definition of Patricide." Webster's Online Dictionary - with Multilingual Thesaurus Translation. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/patricide>.

"Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty." , Chinese Culture, China Highlights. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/emperor-taizong.htm>.

"History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen? Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/46H9791H13777.html>.

"History - Historical Figures." Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/48H7889H12764.html>.

"Li Yuan." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Li_Yuan>.

"Emperor Wen of Sui.", New World Encyclopedia. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Emperor_Wen_of_Sui>

Pakula Hannah. The last empress: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the birth of modern China. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2009.

Paludan, Ann. Chronicle of the Chinese Emerors. New York: Thames & Hudson Inc., 1998.

"Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty (581-618) - Imperial China - History - China - Asia." Countries Quest. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/china/history/imperial_china/reunification_under_the_sui_dynasty_581-618.htm>.

Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. Print.

"Yongzheng." Chinaculture. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22919.htm>.

Which emperor had killed close relatives to ascend the throne?

2013-04-14T06:41:58Z

Lela S: /* TANG DYNASTY */

==HAN DYNASTY==

Emperor Cheng was unable to produce a son with his Empress or his many concubines. The Empress Dowager Wang was desperate for a grandson that could inherit the throng. Cheng eventually took on many more concubines including to two dancing girls who were sisters, Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede. Cheng favored them over his wife and the Zhao sisters eventually falsely accused Empress Xu and Consort Ban of witchcraft. Empress Xu was disposed though the Empress Dowager refused to allow a marriage of one of the sisters to Cheng due to their low class standing.

It is suspected that Consort Zhao Hede murdered two sons that Emperor Cheng had with two other concubines. This was done possibly out of jealousy, according to a report commissioned by Empress Dowager Wang. The boys were killed in their infancy and one of their mothers, Consort Cao committed suicide not long after her son was killed. These murders were done with the agreement of Emperor Cheng who eventually named his nephew the Crown Prince(History - Historical Figures. Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir).

==SUI DYNASTY==

Though there was no accusations at the time and still no concrete evidence, it is still hightly suspected that Emperor Yang ordered the death of his father, Emperor Wen. A detailed account of Emperor Wens last days is given by Zizhi Tongjian who says that Yang tried to have sex with one of Emperor Wen's consorts and when she reported the incident to the Emperor he was furious. Interestingly enough, Yang took her and another of Wen's consorts as his own concubines not long after he inherited the throne. The theory that Yang killed Wen came years after but there are major inconsistencies in that story, including a change in which concubine Yang tried to seduce. However, the theory has been passed on in Chinese culture for so long that is often mistaken to be historical fact. In all likelihood we will never known for sure if murder was the cause of Emperor Wen's death. (History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen?).

Before his death, Eperor Wen himself had actually secured his position as Emperor by deposing the current Emperor, who was a child of only six years old (New World Encyclopedia). However, it is also speculated that he killed dozens of other potential Princes who help claim to the throne in order to protect his position (Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty).

==TANG DYNASTY==

Emperor Gaozu helped overthrow Emperor Yang of Sui. After many years of preparation and fighting, Yang was killed during a coup but not by Gaozu himself.

[[File:340px-TangTaizong.jpg]]Li Shimin, later known as Emperor Taizang(599-649) led an insurrection against his father, Emperor Gaozu. He had assisted during the rebellion against the Sui and had a impressive military background. Despite this, his older brother, Li Jiancheng, was named crown price. However, as fighting in other parts of China escalated, Li Shimin was the one sent to fight. The capitol eventually began to split into factions, though loyal to Li Shimin and those to the crown prince. The rivalry increased through the years and Li Jiancheng is suspected of an assassination attempt against Li Shimin at least once. Li Shimin eventually ambushed his older and younger brother, killed them, as well as their sons to ensure they could not threaten his place on the throne. Li Shimin deposed his father and became Emperor in the year 626 (source: Taizong of Tang Dynasty). He did not kill Gaozu, who “lived on as Grand Emperor (Taishang Huang) until his death in 635" ("Li Yuan").

==MING DYNASTY==

Emperor Jiajing (1507-1567) “was so violent towards his first Empress that she had a miscarriage. Later eighteen of his concubines jointly tried to strangle him. He would have died had not one of the eighteen lost her nerve and sounded the alarm" ("Beijing History").

==QING DYNASTY==

Emperor Yongzheng was rumored to have poisoned his father, emperor Kanxi. Yongzheng supposedly added a stroke in one of the characters of the Emperor’s proclamation which changed the statement "…pass the throne to 14th son" to "pass the throne to 4th son“ (source: Yongzheng). The murder has never been proven, although it is likely that Yongzheng tampered with the Emperor's will (" Yongzheng").

After becoming Emperor, Yongzheng proceeded to arrest many of his brothers(Spence, p 74). The former heir apparent and two other brothers died in prison but it is unknown if they were murdered or not (Spence, p 74). Another sourcesays that Emperor Yonngzheng had all but one of his brothers killed ("Beijing History").

Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was rumored to have killed many of her family members. She supposedly had her son, emperor Tongzhi, poisoned in 1875 when he was 19 years old (Paludan). She then proceeded to persuade the pregnant wife of Tongzhi, Alute, to commit suicide by eating gold dust two months after Tongzhi's death in order to put her nephew Guanxu on the throne (Pakula). One murder the Empress definitely commited was that of her nephew and adopted song, Guanxu, who she killed with arsenic in 1908. Empress Dowager Cixi died 22 hours after her nephew of old age ("Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor").

==SOURCES CITED==

"Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor, Reports Say."CNN WORLD. 4 Nov. 2008. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-04/world/china.emperor_1_arsenic-poisoning-arsenic-levels-china-central-television?_s=PM:WORLD>.

"Beijing History." Beijing Made Easy. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.beijingmadeeasy.com/beijing-history/Chinese-Emperors>.

"Dictionary - Definition of Patricide." Webster's Online Dictionary - with Multilingual Thesaurus Translation. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/patricide>.

"Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty." , Chinese Culture, China Highlights. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/emperor-taizong.htm>.

"History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen? Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/46H9791H13777.html>.

"History - Historical Figures." Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/48H7889H12764.html>.

"Li Yuan." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Li_Yuan>.

"Emperor Wen of Sui.", New World Encyclopedia. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Emperor_Wen_of_Sui>

Pakula Hannah. The last empress: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the birth of modern China. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2009.

Paludan, Ann. Chronicle of the Chinese Emerors. New York: Thames & Hudson Inc., 1998.

"Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty (581-618) - Imperial China - History - China - Asia." Countries Quest. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/china/history/imperial_china/reunification_under_the_sui_dynasty_581-618.htm>.

Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. Print.

"Yongzheng." Chinaculture. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22919.htm>.

File:340px-TangTaizong.jpg

2013-04-14T06:40:26Z

Lela S:

Which emperor had killed close relatives to ascend the throne?

2013-04-14T06:30:42Z

Lela S:

==HAN DYNASTY==

Emperor Cheng was unable to produce a son with his Empress or his many concubines. The Empress Dowager Wang was desperate for a grandson that could inherit the throng. Cheng eventually took on many more concubines including to two dancing girls who were sisters, Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede. Cheng favored them over his wife and the Zhao sisters eventually falsely accused Empress Xu and Consort Ban of witchcraft. Empress Xu was disposed though the Empress Dowager refused to allow a marriage of one of the sisters to Cheng due to their low class standing.

It is suspected that Consort Zhao Hede murdered two sons that Emperor Cheng had with two other concubines. This was done possibly out of jealousy, according to a report commissioned by Empress Dowager Wang. The boys were killed in their infancy and one of their mothers, Consort Cao committed suicide not long after her son was killed. These murders were done with the agreement of Emperor Cheng who eventually named his nephew the Crown Prince(History - Historical Figures. Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir).

==SUI DYNASTY==

Though there was no accusations at the time and still no concrete evidence, it is still hightly suspected that Emperor Yang ordered the death of his father, Emperor Wen. A detailed account of Emperor Wens last days is given by Zizhi Tongjian who says that Yang tried to have sex with one of Emperor Wen's consorts and when she reported the incident to the Emperor he was furious. Interestingly enough, Yang took her and another of Wen's consorts as his own concubines not long after he inherited the throne. The theory that Yang killed Wen came years after but there are major inconsistencies in that story, including a change in which concubine Yang tried to seduce. However, the theory has been passed on in Chinese culture for so long that is often mistaken to be historical fact. In all likelihood we will never known for sure if murder was the cause of Emperor Wen's death. (History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen?).

Before his death, Eperor Wen himself had actually secured his position as Emperor by deposing the current Emperor, who was a child of only six years old (New World Encyclopedia). However, it is also speculated that he killed dozens of other potential Princes who help claim to the throne in order to protect his position (Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty).

==TANG DYNASTY==

Emperor Gaozu helped overthrow Emperor Yang of Sui. After many years of preparation and fighting, Yang was killed during a coup but not by Gaozu himself.

Li Shimin, later known as Emperor Taizang(599-649) led an insurrection against his father, Emperor Gaozu. He had assisted during the rebellion against the Sui and had a impressive military background. Despite this, his older brother, Li Jiancheng, was named crown price. However, as fighting in other parts of China escalated, Li Shimin was the one sent to fight. The capitol eventually began to split into factions, though loyal to Li Shimin and those to the crown prince. The rivalry increased through the years and Li Jiancheng is suspected of an assassination attempt against Li Shimin at least once. Li Shimin eventually ambushed his older and younger brother, killed them, as well as their sons to ensure they could not threaten his place on the throne. Li Shimin deposed his father and became Emperor in the year 626 (source: Taizong of Tang Dynasty). He did not kill Gaozu, who “lived on as Grand Emperor (Taishang Huang) until his death in 635" ("Li Yuan").

==MING DYNASTY==

Emperor Jiajing (1507-1567) “was so violent towards his first Empress that she had a miscarriage. Later eighteen of his concubines jointly tried to strangle him. He would have died had not one of the eighteen lost her nerve and sounded the alarm" ("Beijing History").

==QING DYNASTY==

Emperor Yongzheng was rumored to have poisoned his father, emperor Kanxi. Yongzheng supposedly added a stroke in one of the characters of the Emperor’s proclamation which changed the statement "…pass the throne to 14th son" to "pass the throne to 4th son“ (source: Yongzheng). The murder has never been proven, although it is likely that Yongzheng tampered with the Emperor's will (" Yongzheng").

After becoming Emperor, Yongzheng proceeded to arrest many of his brothers(Spence, p 74). The former heir apparent and two other brothers died in prison but it is unknown if they were murdered or not (Spence, p 74). Another sourcesays that Emperor Yonngzheng had all but one of his brothers killed ("Beijing History").

Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was rumored to have killed many of her family members. She supposedly had her son, emperor Tongzhi, poisoned in 1875 when he was 19 years old (Paludan). She then proceeded to persuade the pregnant wife of Tongzhi, Alute, to commit suicide by eating gold dust two months after Tongzhi's death in order to put her nephew Guanxu on the throne (Pakula). One murder the Empress definitely commited was that of her nephew and adopted song, Guanxu, who she killed with arsenic in 1908. Empress Dowager Cixi died 22 hours after her nephew of old age ("Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor").

==SOURCES CITED==

"Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor, Reports Say."CNN WORLD. 4 Nov. 2008. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-04/world/china.emperor_1_arsenic-poisoning-arsenic-levels-china-central-television?_s=PM:WORLD>.

"Beijing History." Beijing Made Easy. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.beijingmadeeasy.com/beijing-history/Chinese-Emperors>.

"Dictionary - Definition of Patricide." Webster's Online Dictionary - with Multilingual Thesaurus Translation. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/patricide>.

"Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty." , Chinese Culture, China Highlights. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/emperor-taizong.htm>.

"History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen? Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/46H9791H13777.html>.

"History - Historical Figures." Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/48H7889H12764.html>.

"Li Yuan." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Li_Yuan>.

"Emperor Wen of Sui.", New World Encyclopedia. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Emperor_Wen_of_Sui>

Pakula Hannah. The last empress: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the birth of modern China. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2009.

Paludan, Ann. Chronicle of the Chinese Emerors. New York: Thames & Hudson Inc., 1998.

"Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty (581-618) - Imperial China - History - China - Asia." Countries Quest. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/china/history/imperial_china/reunification_under_the_sui_dynasty_581-618.htm>.

Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. Print.

"Yongzheng." Chinaculture. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22919.htm>.

Which emperor had killed close relatives to ascend the throne?

2013-04-14T06:01:39Z

Lela S:

==HAN DYNASTY==

Emperor Cheng was unable to produce a son with his Empress or his many concubines. The Empress Dowager Wang was desperate for a grandson that could inherit the throng. Cheng eventually took on many more concubines including to two dancing girls who were sisters, Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede. Cheng favored them over his wife and the Zhao sisters eventually falsely accused Empress Xu and Consort Ban of witchcraft. Empress Xu was disposed though the Empress Dowager refused to allow a marriage of one of the sisters to Cheng due to their low class standing.

It is suspected that Consort Zhao Hede murdered two sons that Emperor Cheng had with two other concubines. This was done possibly out of jealousy, according to a report commissioned by Empress Dowager Wang. The boys were killed in their infancy and one of their mothers, Consort Cao committed suicide not long after her son was killed. These murders were done with the agreement of Emperor Cheng who eventually named his nephew the Crown Prince(History - Historical Figures. Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir).

==SUI DYNASTY==

Though there was no accusations at the time and still no concrete evidence, it is still hightly suspected that Emperor Yang ordered the death of his father, Emperor Wen. A detailed account of Emperor Wens last days is given by Zizhi Tongjian who says that Yang tried to have sex with one of Emperor Wen's consorts and when she reported the incident to the Emperor he was furious. Interestingly enough, Yang took her and another of Wen's consorts as his own concubines not long after he inherited the throne. The theory that Yang killed Wen came years after but there are major inconsistencies in that story, including a change in which concubine Yang tried to seduce. However, the theory has been passed on in Chinese culture for so long that is often mistaken to be historical fact. In all likelihood we will never known for sure if murder was the cause of Emperor Wen's death. (History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen?).

Before his death, Eperor Wen himself had actually secured his position as Emperor by deposing the current Emperor, who was a child of only six years old (New World Encyclopedia). However, it is also speculated that he killed dozens of other potential Princes who help claim to the throne in order to protect his position (Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty).

==TANG DYNASTY==

Li Shimin (599-649) led an insurrection against his father, Emperor Gaozu (also known as Li Yuan), after killing his two brothers who were his rivals to the throne. Li Shimin deposed his father and became Emperor in the year 626 (source: Taizong of Tang Dynasty), but he did not kill his father, who “lived on as Grand Emperor (Taishang Huang) until his death in 635" ("Li Yuan").

==MING DYNASTY==

Emperor Jiajing (1507-1567) “was so violent towards his first Empress that she had a miscarriage. Later eighteen of his concubines jointly tried to strangle him. He would have died had not one of the eighteen lost her nerve and sounded the alarm" ("Beijing History").

==QING DYNASTY==

Emperor Yongzheng was rumored to have poisoned his father, emperor Kanxi. Yongzheng supposedly added a stroke in one of the characters of the Emperor’s proclamation which changed the statement "…pass the throne to 14th son" to "pass the throne to 4th son“ (source: Yongzheng). The murder has never been proven, although it is likely that Yongzheng tampered with the Emperor's will (" Yongzheng").

After becoming Emperor, Yongzheng proceeded to arrest many of his brothers(Spence, p 74). The former heir apparent and two other brothers died in prison but it is unknown if they were murdered or not (Spence, p 74). Another sourcesays that Emperor Yonngzheng had all but one of his brothers killed ("Beijing History").

Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was rumored to have killed many of her family members. She supposedly had her son, emperor Tongzhi, poisoned in 1875 when he was 19 years old (Paludan). She then proceeded to persuade the pregnant wife of Tongzhi, Alute, to commit suicide by eating gold dust two months after Tongzhi's death in order to put her nephew Guanxu on the throne (Pakula). One murder the Empress definitely commited was that of her nephew and adopted song, Guanxu, who she killed with arsenic in 1908. Empress Dowager Cixi died 22 hours after her nephew of old age ("Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor").

==SOURCES CITED==

"Arsenic Killed Chinese Emperor, Reports Say."CNN WORLD. 4 Nov. 2008. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-04/world/china.emperor_1_arsenic-poisoning-arsenic-levels-china-central-television?_s=PM:WORLD>.

"Beijing History." Beijing Made Easy. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.beijingmadeeasy.com/beijing-history/Chinese-Emperors>.

"Dictionary - Definition of Patricide." Webster's Online Dictionary - with Multilingual Thesaurus Translation. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/patricide>.

"Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty." , Chinese Culture, China Highlights. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/emperor-taizong.htm>.

"History - Historical Figures." Did Emperor Yang Kill Emperor Wen? Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/46H9791H13777.html>.

"History - Historical Figures." Son Emperor Cheng's "Women Troubles" and Lack of Heir. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/48H7889H12764.html>.

"Li Yuan." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Li_Yuan>.

"Emperor Wen of Sui.", New World Encyclopedia. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Emperor_Wen_of_Sui>

Pakula Hannah. The last empress: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the birth of modern China. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2009.

Paludan, Ann. Chronicle of the Chinese Emerors. New York: Thames & Hudson Inc., 1998.

"Reunification Under the Sui Dynasty (581-618) - Imperial China - History - China - Asia." Countries Quest. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/china/history/imperial_china/reunification_under_the_sui_dynasty_581-618.htm>.

Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. Print.

"Yongzheng." Chinaculture. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22919.htm>.

Which emperor had killed close relatives to ascend the throne?

2013-04-14T03:01:54Z

Lela S:

Writing with your own blood

2013-03-02T06:51:53Z

Lela S:

~IN PROGRESS~

==OVERVIEW==

The origins of blood writing can be traced back to Chinese Buddhist monks. Contrary to popular believe, monks did not write in pure blood. Instead they used their blood to mix with the ink, which in turn gave the ink a brownish tint to it. Writing in blood usually involved some form of self mutilation.Forms of self mutilation that were traditionally practiced in China inluded cutting their fingers and self-immolation by fire (Baker).

==PIETY AND MERIT==

It was believed that by copying Buddhist scriptures on behalf of relatives, they might reap a better rebirth. In the Tang Dynasty, Wan Jingru received official recognition for his filial devotion to his parents by cutting off two of his fingers and copying texts using his blood (Kieschnick). The monk Hanshan Deqing also used blood writing for merit toward his deceased parents to thank them for raising him.

''"In the Spring of my thirty-second year, I returned from Yanmen. At this time I recalled the benevolence of my [deceased] parents and the care they had given me. I also thought of all of the obstacles that stood between me and the [Buddha] Law. On reading the vow of the great master Huisi of Nanyue, I vowed to make a copy of the Scripture of the Expanse of Buddhas of the Flower Adornment (i.e. the Avatamsaka) by mixing my own blood with gold. Above, this would tie me to the karma of prajna, and below it would repay my parents for their benevolence"''(Kieschnick).

This type of bloodwriting was not restricted to any specific groups such as the monks. Anyone could participate if they had the means. Merit could be used for relatives or for themselves. The wealthy could hire artists and scholars to write and paint scripture on their behalf (Baker).

Because Merit was such a prominent aspect of the culture there were also several stages of "self mutilation". In order from the lowest level to the highest; striking a bell for the world of the afterlife, sealed confinement (for three years), vows of silence (often facing a wall), writing in blood, burning various parts of the body, burning off fingers and self-immolation by fire. While sealed confinement may not be viewed in modern terms as self mutilation, it was during ancient times because of the amount of psychological trauma it could cause. Writing it blood was a good way to gain merit for anyone because it was a high enough level of self mutilation to show a great amount of piety without the use of fire (Baskind).

==WARRIORS’ COURAGE==

In AD 1002, a magistrate called Fei Ji defended his city from attack for over a month. He cut his finger and wrote a letter to the Song court using his blood, requesting aid ("imperialchina.org").

Another more modern example of blood-letter writing comes from a teacher named Xu Teli, who wrote a blood letter to protest Japan’s 21 demands on China in 1915 (Wang).

==EXAMPLES OF BUDDHIST BLOOD WRITING==

One of the most famous pieces of blood writing is by an unnamed man. According to the colophon of the book, the man was 83 and pricked his finger to draw blood to mix with the ink. Amazingly, the book even contains the date in which he copied the text, though we don't know if it was the start or completion date. The date reads as February, 27 906. It is now held by the British Library (Baker).

Monks were not the only ones to use blood writing and not all the wealthy hired scribes on their behalf. Royalty also took part in the practice. Chen Shuling copied Buddhist texts in 579. When Emperor Suzong of Tang became ill his wife copied scripture on his behalf in the hope that the merit from her actions would help him recover.

==In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul 尋找林昭的靈魂==

Lin Zhou was the pen name of a young woman who wrote about 500 pages (140,000 words)in blood from a prison during the cultural revolution. Even at a young age she was part of an underground magazine along with her mother criticizing the government. She eventually went to Peking University where she was a talented writer and used her skills to write many essays about the corrupt government officials. She was arrested in 1960 but refused to admit her 'mistake'. She continued to write while in prison. When she was denied access to pens and paper she began to write using a hair pin with blood as the ink and her shirts as paper. She later was able to acquire ink from the guards and rewrote her message in ink. She was secretly executed and her family sent a bill to pay for the bullet that killed her. Out of all the students who protested, she was the only one who was killed due to her refusal to recant (Zhong).

Lin Zhou's letters were given to her sister by one of her guards after the cultural revolution. Many of her papers and poems remain in government hands with a time stamp of 50 years, though a few are available. One example includes these words which were written in blood;

''"As I silently rub the drops of blood on the wall, I can only find the right words when I think of that merciful and just God who is so far away, and yet so close . . . As a Christian, my life belongs to my God. In order to persist on my path, the path of a servant of God, this young person has paid a heavy physical and psychological price"''(Zhong).

“The document was ostensibly a letter to the People's Daily, the party's official newspaper. Lin condemned the Anti-Rightist Campaign and accused the party of taking advantage of the idealism of her generation.
She wrote of the abuse she suffered in prison, of guards who handcuffed her in painful positions and force-fed her through her nostrils. She described how she wrote in blood after they took away her pen, and how the prison saved her writing to use against her. Occasionally the letter deteriorated into an incoherent rant, but every page was brimming with emotion and defiance” (Pan 2008).

HU Jie created a documentary on Lin Zhao after hearing her story. Though a long trek he located her former classmates and professors to talk about her. In his directors statement before the film he says, "This story made me decide quit my job and go far and wide in search of Lin Zhao's soul" (Searching for Lin Zhao's Soul).

==Sources Cited==

Baker, Abby. "Blood writing in Buddhist scrolls." British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the past. N.p., 02 January 2012. Web. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

Baskind, James. "Mortification Practices in the Obaku School." Kyoto, 2007. Web.

BL, S.5451. 2012. Photograph. British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the pastWeb. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

Hu, Jie. "In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul." Posted June 10, 2008. 2004. Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwkDeisygcM.

Kieschnick, John. The Eminent Monk: Buddhist Ideals in Medieval Chinese Hagiography. United States: Kuroda Institute, 1997.

Pan, Philip P. "A Past Written In Blood." Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. 03 July 2008. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070203677.html?nav=hcmodule>.

"Searching for Lin Zhao's Soul." ''YouTube'', 2011. Web. February 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQIGjzj1-vc>

"Tanguts vs Song Dynasty." imperialchina.org. N.p., 2011. Web. 2 Feb 2012. <http://www.imperialchina.org/Xi-Xia.html>.

Wang, Zheng. Women in the Chinese enlightenment: oral and textual histories. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1999. eBook. <http://books.google.com/books?id=unObToGSvUwC&printsec=frontcover

Zhong, Jin. "In Search of the Soul of Lin Zhao." China Rights Forum. 3 November 2004. Web.

PART 1: https://docs.google.com/present/embed?id=dc4f2tj3_2cprh46fk

PART 2: https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dc4f2tj3_34ds98bd7q

Writing with your own blood

2013-03-02T06:39:31Z

Lela S:

~IN PROGRESS~

==OVERVIEW==

The origins of blood writing can be traced back to Chinese Buddhist monks. Contrary to popular believe, monks did not write in pure blood. Instead they used their blood to mix with the ink, which in turn gave the ink a brownish tint to it. Writing in blood usually involved some form of self mutilation.Forms of self mutilation that were traditionally practiced in China inluded cutting their fingers and self-immolation by fire (Baker).

==PIETY AND MERIT==

It was believed that by copying Buddhist scriptures on behalf of relatives, they might reap a better rebirth. In the Tang Dynasty, Wan Jingru received official recognition for his filial devotion to his parents by cutting off two of his fingers and copying texts using his blood (Kieschnick). The monk Hanshan Deqing also used blood writing for merit toward his deceased parents to thank them for raising him.

''"In the Spring of my thirty-second year, I returned from Yanmen. At this time I recalled the benevolence of my [deceased] parents and the care they had given me. I also thought of all of the obstacles that stood between me and the [Buddha] Law. On reading the vow of the great master Huisi of Nanyue, I vowed to make a copy of the Scripture of the Expanse of Buddhas of the Flower Adornment (i.e. the Avatamsaka) by mixing my own blood with gold. Above, this would tie me to the karma of prajna, and below it would repay my parents for their benevolence"''(Kieschnick).

This type of bloodwriting was not restricted to any specific groups such as the monks. Anyone could participate if they had the means. Merit could be used for relatives or for themselves. The wealthy could hire artists and scholars to write and paint scripture on their behalf (Baker).

Because Merit was such a prominent aspect of the culture there were also several stages of "self mutilation". In order from the lowest level to the highest; striking a bell for the world of the afterlife, sealed confinement (for three years), vows of silence (often facing a wall), writing in blood, burning various parts of the body, burning off fingers and self-immolation by fire. While sealed confinement may not be viewed in modern terms as self mutilation, it was during ancient times because of the amount of psychological trauma it could cause. Writing it blood was a good way to gain merit for anyone because it was a high enough level of self mutilation to show a great amount of piety without the use of fire (Baskind).

==WARRIORS’ COURAGE==

In AD 1002, a magistrate called Fei Ji defended his city from attack for over a month. He cut his finger and wrote a letter to the Song court using his blood, requesting aid ("imperialchina.org").

Another more modern example of blood-letter writing comes from a teacher named Xu Teli, who wrote a blood letter to protest Japan’s 21 demands on China in 1915 (Wang).

==EXAMPLES OF BUDDHIST BLOOD WRITING==

One of the most famous pieces of blood writing is by an unnamed man. According to the colophon of the book, the man was 83 and pricked his finger to draw blood to mix with the ink. Amazingly, the book even contains the date in which he copied the text, though we don't know if it was the start or completion date. The date reads as February, 27 906. It is now held by the British Library (Baker).

Monks were not the only ones to use blood writing and not all the wealthy hired scribes on their behalf. Royalty also took part in the practice. Chen Shuling copied Buddhist texts in 579. When Emperor Suzong of Tang became ill his wife copied scripture on his behalf in the hope that the merit from her actions would help him recover.

==In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul 尋找林昭的靈魂==

Lin Zhou was the pen name of a young woman who wrote about 500 pages (140,000 words)in blood from a prison during the cultural revolution. Even at a young age she was part of an underground magazine along with her mother criticizing the government. She eventually went to Peking University where she was a talented writer and used her skills to write many essays about the corrupt government officials. She was arrested in 1960 but refused to admit her 'mistake'. She continued to write while in prison. When she was denied access to pens and paper she began to write using a hair pin with blood as the ink and her shirts as paper. She later was able to acquire ink from the guards and rewrote her message in ink. She was secretly executed and her family sent a bill to pay for the bullet that killed her. Out of all the students who protested, she was the only one who was killed due to her refusal to recant (Zhong).

Lin Zhou's letters were given to her sister by one of her guards after the cultural revolution. Many of her papers and poems remain in government hands with a time stamp of 50 years, though a few are available. One example includes these words which were written in blood;

''"As I silently rub the drops of blood on the wall, I can only find the right words when I think of that merciful and just God who is so far away, and yet so close . . . As a Christian, my life belongs to my God. In order to persist on my path, the path of a servant of God, this young person has paid a heavy physical and psychological price"''(Zhong).

“The document was ostensibly a letter to the People's Daily, the party's official newspaper. Lin condemned the Anti-Rightist Campaign and accused the party of taking advantage of the idealism of her generation.
She wrote of the abuse she suffered in prison, of guards who handcuffed her in painful positions and force-fed her through her nostrils. She described how she wrote in blood after they took away her pen, and how the prison saved her writing to use against her. Occasionally the letter deteriorated into an incoherent rant, but every page was brimming with emotion and defiance” (Pan 2008).

(Pan 2008)

==Sources Cited==

Baker, Abby. "Blood writing in Buddhist scrolls." British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the past. N.p., 02 January 2012. Web. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

Baskind, James. "Mortification Practices in the Obaku School." Kyoto, 2007. Web.

BL, S.5451. 2012. Photograph. British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the pastWeb. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

Hu, Jie. "In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul." Posted June 10, 2008. 2004. Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwkDeisygcM.

Kieschnick, John. The Eminent Monk: Buddhist Ideals in Medieval Chinese Hagiography. United States: Kuroda Institute, 1997.

Pan, Philip P. "A Past Written In Blood." Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. 03 July 2008. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070203677.html?nav=hcmodule>.

"Tanguts vs Song Dynasty." imperialchina.org. N.p., 2011. Web. 2 Feb 2012. <http://www.imperialchina.org/Xi-Xia.html>.

Wang, Zheng. Women in the Chinese enlightenment: oral and textual histories. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1999. eBook. <http://books.google.com/books?id=unObToGSvUwC&printsec=frontcover

Zhong, Jin. "In Search of the Soul of Lin Zhao." China Rights Forum. 3 November 2004. Web.

PART 1: https://docs.google.com/present/embed?id=dc4f2tj3_2cprh46fk

PART 2: https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dc4f2tj3_34ds98bd7q

Writing with your own blood

2013-03-02T06:33:39Z

Lela S:

~IN PROGRESS~

==OVERVIEW==

The origins of blood writing can be traced back to Chinese Buddhist monks. Contrary to popular believe, monks did not write in pure blood. Instead they used their blood to mix with the ink, which in turn gave the ink a brownish tint to it. Writing in blood usually involved some form of self mutilation.Forms of self mutilation that were traditionally practiced in China inluded cutting their fingers and self-immolation by fire (Baker).

==PIETY AND MERIT==

It was believed that by copying Buddhist scriptures on behalf of relatives, they might reap a better rebirth. In the Tang Dynasty, Wan Jingru received official recognition for his filial devotion to his parents by cutting off two of his fingers and copying texts using his blood (Kieschnick). The monk Hanshan Deqing also used blood writing for merit toward his deceased parents to thank them for raising him.

''"In the Spring of my thirty-second year, I returned from Yanmen. At this time I recalled the benevolence of my [deceased] parents and the care they had given me. I also thought of all of the obstacles that stood between me and the [Buddha] Law. On reading the vow of the great master Huisi of Nanyue, I vowed to make a copy of the Scripture of the Expanse of Buddhas of the Flower Adornment (i.e. the Avatamsaka) by mixing my own blood with gold. Above, this would tie me to the karma of prajna, and below it would repay my parents for their benevolence"''(Kieschnick).

This type of bloodwriting was not restricted to any specific groups such as the monks. Anyone could participate if they had the means. Merit could be used for relatives or for themselves. The wealthy could hire artists and scholars to write and paint scripture on their behalf (Baker).

Because Merit was such a prominent aspect of the culture there were also several stages of "self mutilation". In order from the lowest level to the highest; striking a bell for the world of the afterlife, sealed confinement (for three years), vows of silence (often facing a wall), writing in blood, burning various parts of the body, burning off fingers and self-immolation by fire. While sealed confinement may not be viewed in modern terms as self mutilation, it was during ancient times because of the amount of psychological trauma it could cause. Writing it blood was a good way to gain merit for anyone because it was a high enough level of self mutilation to show a great amount of piety without the use of fire (Baskind).

==WARRIORS’ COURAGE==

In AD 1002, a magistrate called Fei Ji defended his city from attack for over a month. He cut his finger and wrote a letter to the Song court using his blood, requesting aid ("imperialchina.org").

Another more modern example of blood-letter writing comes from a teacher named Xu Teli, who wrote a blood letter to protest Japan’s 21 demands on China in 1915 (Wang).

==EXAMPLES OF BUDDHIST BLOOD WRITING==

One of the most famous pieces of blood writing is by an unnamed man. According to the colophon of the book, the man was 83 and pricked his finger to draw blood to mix with the ink. Amazingly, the book even contains the date in which he copied the text, though we don't know if it was the start or completion date. The date reads as February, 27 906. It is now held by the British Library (Baker).

Monks were not the only ones to use blood writing and not all the wealthy hired scribes on their behalf. Royalty also took part in the practice. Chen Shuling copied Buddhist texts in 579. When Emperor Suzong of Tang became ill his wife copied scripture on his behalf in the hope that the merit from her actions would help him recover.

==In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul 尋找林昭的靈魂==

Lin Zhou was the pen name of a young woman who wrote about 500 pages (140,000 words)in blood from a prison during the cultural revolution. Even at a young age she was part of an underground magazine along with her mother criticizing the government. She eventually went to Perking University where she was a talented writer and used her skills to write many essays about the corrupt government officials. She was arrested in 1960 where she continued to write. When she was denied access to pens and paper she began to write using a hair pin with blood as the ink and her shirts as paper. She later was able to acquire ink from the guards and rewrote her message in ink. She was secretly executed and her family sent a bill to pay for the bullet that killed her (Zhong).

Lin Zhou's letters were given to her sister by one of her guards after the cultural revolution. However, many of her papers and poems remain in government hands with a time stamp of 50 years.

“The document was ostensibly a letter to the People's Daily, the party's official newspaper. Lin condemned the Anti-Rightist Campaign and accused the party of taking advantage of the idealism of her generation.
She wrote of the abuse she suffered in prison, of guards who handcuffed her in painful positions and force-fed her through her nostrils. She described how she wrote in blood after they took away her pen, and how the prison saved her writing to use against her. Occasionally the letter deteriorated into an incoherent rant, but every page was brimming with emotion and defiance” (Pan 2008).

(Pan 2008)

==Sources Cited==

Baker, Abby. "Blood writing in Buddhist scrolls." British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the past. N.p., 02 January 2012. Web. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

Baskind, James. "Mortification Practices in the Obaku School." Kyoto, 2007. Web.

BL, S.5451. 2012. Photograph. British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the pastWeb. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

Hu, Jie. "In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul." Posted June 10, 2008. 2004. Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwkDeisygcM.

Kieschnick, John. The Eminent Monk: Buddhist Ideals in Medieval Chinese Hagiography. United States: Kuroda Institute, 1997.

Pan, Philip P. "A Past Written In Blood." Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. 03 July 2008. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070203677.html?nav=hcmodule>.

"Tanguts vs Song Dynasty." imperialchina.org. N.p., 2011. Web. 2 Feb 2012. <http://www.imperialchina.org/Xi-Xia.html>.

Wang, Zheng. Women in the Chinese enlightenment: oral and textual histories. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1999. eBook. <http://books.google.com/books?id=unObToGSvUwC&printsec=frontcover

Zhong, Jin. "In Search of the Soul of Lin Zhao." China Rights Forum. 3 November 2004. Web.

PART 1: https://docs.google.com/present/embed?id=dc4f2tj3_2cprh46fk

PART 2: https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dc4f2tj3_34ds98bd7q

Writing with your own blood

2013-03-02T06:24:44Z

Lela S:

~IN PROGRESS~

==OVERVIEW==

The origins of blood writing can be traced back to Chinese Buddhist monks. Contrary to popular believe, monks did not write in pure blood. Instead they used their blood to mix with the ink, which in turn gave the ink a brownish tint to it. Writing in blood usually involved some form of self mutilation.Forms of self mutilation that were traditionally practiced in China inluded cutting their fingers and self-immolation by fire (Baker).

==PIETY AND MERIT==

It was believed that by copying Buddhist scriptures on behalf of relatives, they might reap a better rebirth. In the Tang Dynasty, Wan Jingru received official recognition for his filial devotion to his parents by cutting off two of his fingers and copying texts using his blood (Kieschnick). The monk Hanshan Deqing also used blood writing for merit toward his deceased parents to thank them for raising him.

''"In the Spring of my thirty-second year, I returned from Yanmen. At this time I recalled the benevolence of my [deceased] parents and the care they had given me. I also thought of all of the obstacles that stood between me and the [Buddha] Law. On reading the vow of the great master Huisi of Nanyue, I vowed to make a copy of the Scripture of the Expanse of Buddhas of the Flower Adornment (i.e. the Avatamsaka) by mixing my own blood with gold. Above, this would tie me to the karma of prajna, and below it would repay my parents for their benevolence"''(Kieschnick).

This type of bloodwriting was not restricted to any specific groups such as the monks. Anyone could participate if they had the means. Merit could be used for relatives or for themselves. The wealthy could hire artists and scholars to write and paint scripture on their behalf (Baker).

Because Merit was such a prominent aspect of the culture there were also several stages of "self mutilation". In order from the lowest level to the highest; striking a bell for the world of the afterlife, sealed confinement (for three years), vows of silence (often facing a wall), writing in blood, burning various parts of the body, burning off fingers and self-immolation by fire. While sealed confinement may not be viewed in modern terms as self mutilation, it was during ancient times because of the amount of psychological trauma it could cause. Writing it blood was a good way to gain merit for anyone because it was a high enough level of self mutilation to show a great amount of piety without the use of fire (Baskind).

==WARRIORS’ COURAGE==

In AD 1002, a magistrate called Fei Ji defended his city from attack for over a month. He cut his finger and wrote a letter to the Song court using his blood, requesting aid ("imperialchina.org").

Another more modern example of blood-letter writing comes from a teacher named Xu Teli, who wrote a blood letter to protest Japan’s 21 demands on China in 1915 (Wang).

==EXAMPLES OF BUDDHIST BLOOD WRITING==

One of the most famous pieces of blood writing is by an unnamed man. According to the colophon of the book, the man was 83 and pricked his finger to draw blood to mix with the ink. Amazingly, the book even contains the date in which he copied the text, though we don't know if it was the start or completion date. The date reads as February, 27 906. It is now held by the British Library (Baker).

Monks were not the only ones to use blood writing and not all the wealthy hired scribes on their behalf. Royalty also took part in the practice. Chen Shuling copied Buddhist texts in 579. When Emperor Suzong of Tang became ill his wife copied scripture on his behalf in the hope that the merit from her actions would help him recover.

==In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul 尋找林昭的靈魂==

Lin Zhou was the pen name of a young woman who wrote about 500 pages (140,000 words)in blood from a prison during the cultural revolution. Even at a young age she was part of an underground magazine along with her mother criticizing the government. She eventually went to Perking University where she was a talented writer and used her skills to write many essays about the corrupt government officials. She was arrested in 1960 where she continued to write. When she was denied access to pens and paper she began to write using a hair pin with blood as the ink and her shirts as paper. She later was able to acquire ink from the guards and rewrote her message in ink.

She was secretly executed and her family sent a bill to pay for the bullet that killed her. Lin Zhou's letters were given to her sister by one of her guards after the cultural revolution. However, many of her papers and poems remain in government hands with a time stamp of 50 years.

“The document was ostensibly a letter to the People's Daily, the party's official newspaper. Lin condemned the Anti-Rightist Campaign and accused the party of taking advantage of the idealism of her generation.
She wrote of the abuse she suffered in prison, of guards who handcuffed her in painful positions and force-fed her through her nostrils. She described how she wrote in blood after they took away her pen, and how the prison saved her writing to use against her. Occasionally the letter deteriorated into an incoherent rant, but every page was brimming with emotion and defiance” (Pan 2008).

(Pan 2008)

==Sources Cited==

Baker, Abby. "Blood writing in Buddhist scrolls." British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the past. N.p., 02 January 2012. Web. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

Baskind, James. "Mortification Practices in the Obaku School." Kyoto, 2007. Web.

BL, S.5451. 2012. Photograph. British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the pastWeb. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

Hu, Jie. "In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul." Posted June 10, 2008. 2004. Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwkDeisygcM.

Kieschnick, John. The Eminent Monk: Buddhist Ideals in Medieval Chinese Hagiography. United States: Kuroda Institute, 1997.

Pan, Philip P. "A Past Written In Blood." Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. 03 July 2008. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070203677.html?nav=hcmodule>.

"Tanguts vs Song Dynasty." imperialchina.org. N.p., 2011. Web. 2 Feb 2012. <http://www.imperialchina.org/Xi-Xia.html>.

Wang, Zheng. Women in the Chinese enlightenment: oral and textual histories. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1999. eBook. <http://books.google.com/books?id=unObToGSvUwC&printsec=frontcover

PART 1: https://docs.google.com/present/embed?id=dc4f2tj3_2cprh46fk

PART 2: https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dc4f2tj3_34ds98bd7q

Writing with your own blood

2013-03-02T06:22:38Z

Lela S:

~IN PROGRESS~

==OVERVIEW==

The origins of blood writing can be traced back to Chinese Buddhist monks. Contrary to popular believe, monks did not write in pure blood. Instead they used their blood to mix with the ink, which in turn gave the ink a brownish tint to it. Writing in blood usually involved some form of self mutilation.Forms of self mutilation that were traditionally practiced in China inluded cutting their fingers and self-immolation by fire (Baker).

==PIETY AND MERIT==

It was believed that by copying Buddhist scriptures on behalf of relatives, they might reap a better rebirth. In the Tang Dynasty, Wan Jingru received official recognition for his filial devotion to his parents by cutting off two of his fingers and copying texts using his blood (Kieschnick). The monk Hanshan Deqing also used blood writing for merit toward his deceased parents to thank them for raising him.

''"In the Spring of my thirty-second year, I returned from Yanmen. At this time I recalled the benevolence of my [deceased] parents and the care they had given me. I also thought of all of the obstacles that stood between me and the [Buddha] Law. On reading the vow of the great master Huisi of Nanyue, I vowed to make a copy of the Scripture of the Expanse of Buddhas of the Flower Adornment (i.e. the Avatamsaka) by mixing my own blood with gold. Above, this would tie me to the karma of prajna, and below it would repay my parents for their benevolence"''(Kieschnick).

This type of bloodwriting was not restricted to any specific groups such as the monks. Anyone could participate if they had the means. Merit could be used for relatives or for themselves. The wealthy could hire artists and scholars to write and paint scripture on their behalf (Baker).

Because Merit was such a prominent aspect of the culture there were also several stages of "self mutilation". In order from the lowest level to the highest; striking a bell for the world of the afterlife, sealed confinement (for three years), vows of silence (often facing a wall), writing in blood, burning various parts of the body, burning off fingers and self-immolation by fire. While sealed confinement may not be viewed in modern terms as self mutilation, it was during ancient times because of the amount of psychological trauma it could cause. Writing it blood was a good way to gain merit for anyone because it was a high enough level of self mutilation to show a great amount of piety without the use of fire.

==WARRIORS’ COURAGE==

In AD 1002, a magistrate called Fei Ji defended his city from attack for over a month. He cut his finger and wrote a letter to the Song court using his blood, requesting aid ("imperialchina.org").

Another more modern example of blood-letter writing comes from a teacher named Xu Teli, who wrote a blood letter to protest Japan’s 21 demands on China in 1915 (Wang).

==EXAMPLES OF BUDDHIST BLOOD WRITING==

One of the most famous pieces of blood writing is by an unnamed man. According to the colophon of the book, the man was 83 and pricked his finger to draw blood to mix with the ink. Amazingly, the book even contains the date in which he copied the text, though we don't know if it was the start or completion date. The date reads as February, 27 906. It is now held by the British Library (Baker).

Monks were not the only ones to use blood writing and not all the wealthy hired scribes on their behalf. Royalty also took part in the practice. Chen Shuling copied Buddhist texts in 579. When Emperor Suzong of Tang became ill his wife copied scripture on his behalf in the hope that the merit from her actions would help him recover.

==In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul 尋找林昭的靈魂==

Lin Zhou was the pen name of a young woman who wrote about 500 pages (140,000 words)in blood from a prison during the cultural revolution. Even at a young age she was part of an underground magazine along with her mother criticizing the government. She eventually went to Perking University where she was a talented writer and used her skills to write many essays about the corrupt government officials. She was arrested in 1960 where she continued to write. When she was denied access to pens and paper she began to write using a hair pin with blood as the ink and her shirts as paper. She later was able to acquire ink from the guards and rewrote her message in ink.

She was secretly executed and her family sent a bill to pay for the bullet that killed her. Lin Zhou's letters were given to her sister by one of her guards after the cultural revolution. However, many of her papers and poems remain in government hands with a time stamp of 50 years.

“The document was ostensibly a letter to the People's Daily, the party's official newspaper. Lin condemned the Anti-Rightist Campaign and accused the party of taking advantage of the idealism of her generation.
She wrote of the abuse she suffered in prison, of guards who handcuffed her in painful positions and force-fed her through her nostrils. She described how she wrote in blood after they took away her pen, and how the prison saved her writing to use against her. Occasionally the letter deteriorated into an incoherent rant, but every page was brimming with emotion and defiance” (Pan 2008).

(Pan 2008)

==Sources Cited==

Baker, Abby. "Blood writing in Buddhist scrolls." British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the past. N.p., 02 January 2012. Web. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

BL, S.5451. 2012. Photograph. British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the pastWeb. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

Hu, Jie. "In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul." Posted June 10, 2008. 2004. Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwkDeisygcM.

Kieschnick, John. The Eminent Monk: Buddhist Ideals in Medieval Chinese Hagiography. United States: Kuroda Institute, 1997.

Pan, Philip P. "A Past Written In Blood." Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. 03 July 2008. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070203677.html?nav=hcmodule>.

"Tanguts vs Song Dynasty." imperialchina.org. N.p., 2011. Web. 2 Feb 2012. <http://www.imperialchina.org/Xi-Xia.html>.

Wang, Zheng. Women in the Chinese enlightenment: oral and textual histories. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1999. eBook. <http://books.google.com/books?id=unObToGSvUwC&printsec=frontcover

PART 1: https://docs.google.com/present/embed?id=dc4f2tj3_2cprh46fk

PART 2: https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dc4f2tj3_34ds98bd7q

File:Writing in Blood.pptx

2013-03-02T06:03:56Z

Lela S:

Writing with your own blood

2013-03-01T06:53:32Z

Lela S:

~IN PROGRESS~

==OVERVIEW==

The origins of blood writing can be traced back to Chinese Buddhist monks. Contrary to popular believe, monks did not write in pure blood. Instead they used their blood to mix with the ink, which in turn gave the ink a brownish tint to it. Writing in blood usually involved some form of self mutilation.Forms of self mutilation that were traditionally practiced in China inluded cutting their fingers and self-immolation by fire (Baker).

==PIETY AND MERIT==

It was believed that by copying Buddhist scriptures on behalf of relatives, they might reap a better rebirth. In the Tang Dynasty, Wan Jingru received official recognition for his filial devotion to his parents by cutting off two of his fingers and copying texts using his blood (Kieschnick). The monk Hanshan Deqing also used blood writing for merit toward his deceased parents to thank them for raising him.

''"In the Spring of my thirty-second year, I returned from Yanmen. At this time I recalled the benevolence of my [deceased] parents and the care they had given me. I also thought of all of the obstacles that stood between me and the [Buddha] Law. On reading the vow of the great master Huisi of Nanyue, I vowed to make a copy of the Scripture of the Expanse of Buddhas of the Flower Adornment (i.e. the Avatamsaka) by mixing my own blood with gold. Above, this would tie me to the karma of prajna, and below it would repay my parents for their benevolence"''(Kieschnick).

This type of bloodwriting was not restricted to any specific groups such as the monks. Anyone could participate if they had the means. Merit could be used for relatives or for themselves. The wealthy could hire artists and scholars to write and paint scripture on their behalf (Baker).

==WARRIORS’ COURAGE==

In AD 1002, a magistrate called Fei Ji defended his city from attack for over a month. He cut his finger and wrote a letter to the Song court using his blood, requesting aid ("imperialchina.org").

Another more modern example of blood-letter writing comes from a teacher named Xu Teli, who wrote a blood letter to protest Japan’s 21 demands on China in 1915 (Wang).

==EXAMPLES OF BUDDHIST BLOOD WRITING==

One of the most famous pieces of blood writing is by an unnamed man. According to the colophon of the book, the man was 83 and pricked his finger to draw blood to mix with the ink. Amazingly, the book even contains the date in which he copied the text, though we don't know if it was the start or completion date. The date reads as February, 27 906. It is now held by the British Library (Baker).

Monks were not the only ones to use blood writing and not all the wealthy hired scribes on their behalf. Royalty also took part in the practice. Chen Shuling copied Buddhist texts in 579. When Emperor Suzong of Tang became ill his wife copied scripture on his behalf in the hope that the merit from her actions would help him recover.

==In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul 尋找林昭的靈魂==

Lin Zhou was the pen name of a young woman who wrote about 500 pages (140,000 words)in blood from a prison during the cultural revolution. Even at a young age she was part of an underground magazine along with her mother criticizing the government. She eventually went to Perking University where she was a talented writer and used her skills to write many essays about the corrupt government officials. She was arrested in 1960 where she continued to write. When she was denied access to pens and paper she began to write using a hair pin with blood as the ink and her shirts as paper. She later was able to acquire ink from the guards and rewrote her message in ink.

She was secretly executed and her family sent a bill to pay for the bullet that killed her. Lin Zhou's letters were given to her sister by one of her guards after the cultural revolution. However, many of her papers and poems remain in government hands with a time stamp of 50 years.

“The document was ostensibly a letter to the People's Daily, the party's official newspaper. Lin condemned the Anti-Rightist Campaign and accused the party of taking advantage of the idealism of her generation.
She wrote of the abuse she suffered in prison, of guards who handcuffed her in painful positions and force-fed her through her nostrils. She described how she wrote in blood after they took away her pen, and how the prison saved her writing to use against her. Occasionally the letter deteriorated into an incoherent rant, but every page was brimming with emotion and defiance” (Pan 2008).

(Pan 2008)

==Sources Cited==

Baker, Abby. "Blood writing in Buddhist scrolls." British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the past. N.p., 02 January 2012. Web. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

BL, S.5451. 2012. Photograph. British Library, Untold Lives: Sharing stories from the pastWeb. 1 Feb 2012. <http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2012/01/blood-writing-in-buddhist-scrolls.html>.

Hu, Jie. "In Search of Lin Zhou's Soul." Posted June 10, 2008. 2004. Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwkDeisygcM.

Kieschnick, John. The Eminent Monk: Buddhist Ideals in Medieval Chinese Hagiography. United States: Kuroda Institute, 1997.

Pan, Philip P. "A Past Written In Blood." Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. 03 July 2008. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070203677.html?nav=hcmodule>.

"Tanguts vs Song Dynasty." imperialchina.org. N.p., 2011. Web. 2 Feb 2012. <http://www.imperialchina.org/Xi-Xia.html>.

Wang, Zheng. Women in the Chinese enlightenment: oral and textual histories. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1999. eBook. <http://books.google.com/books?id=unObToGSvUwC&printsec=frontcover

PART 1: https://docs.google.com/present/embed?id=dc4f2tj3_2cprh46fk

PART 2: https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dc4f2tj3_34ds98bd7q

Writing with your own blood

2013-03-01T06:30:50Z

Lela S:

Writing with your own blood

2013-03-01T06:18:21Z

Lela S: