Old Buddha

"Old Buddha" is a fascinating biographical account of the Empress Dowager Cixi, one of the most powerful and controversial figures in Chinese history. Written by Princess Der Ling, who served as a lady-in-waiting at the imperial court, the work offers an intimate and rare perspective on the inner workings of the Forbidden City during the final years of the Qing Dynasty. Through personal observations and courtly insights, the author provides a nuanced portrait of a woman often misunderstood by Western audiences, depicting her not merely as a formidable ruler but as a complex individual navigating a rapidly changing world.

The narrative details the rituals, politics, and daily life within the imperial palace, capturing the splendor and the tension of a dynasty on the brink of collapse. From the intricacies of court etiquette to the significant political decisions that shaped modern China, "Old Buddha" serves as both a historical record and a compelling literary memoir. It remains an essential work for those interested in Asian history, royal biography, and the cultural legacy of imperial China.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

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