Synopsis "Old Buddha"
Old Buddha is a memoir written by Princess Der Ling, a Chinese noblewoman who served as a lady-in-waiting to Empress Dowager Cixi during the late Qing dynasty. The book provides a unique perspective on the life and reign of the Empress Dowager, who is often portrayed as a ruthless and power-hungry leader in Western literature. Der Ling describes Cixi as a complex and intelligent woman who was deeply committed to modernizing China and preserving its cultural heritage.The book is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on Der Ling's childhood and early years at the imperial court, where she was trained in the arts of poetry, calligraphy, and embroidery. She also describes her close relationship with the Empress Dowager, whom she admired for her wisdom and kindness. The second part of the book covers the tumultuous years leading up to the fall of the Qing dynasty, including the Boxer Rebellion and the subsequent foreign occupation of China. Der Ling provides a firsthand account of these events, as well as her own efforts to promote Chinese culture and defend the country's sovereignty.Throughout the book, Der Ling reflects on the challenges and contradictions of being a modern Chinese woman in a world dominated by men and foreign powers. She also offers insights into the complex political and social dynamics of the late Qing dynasty, shedding light on a period of Chinese history that is often misunderstood or overlooked in the West. Overall, Old Buddha is a fascinating and engaging memoir that offers a unique perspective on one of China's most iconic historical figures.This is a new release of the original 1929 edition.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
