Confucian education in a Buddhist environment: Medieval manuscripts and imprints of the Mengqiu

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Early copies of the Mengqiu survived in Japan, where it remained in continuous use through modern times.

“early copies survived in Japan, where it remained in continuous use all the way through modern times.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

After the Song period, the Mengqiu fell into disuse in China.

“Although following the Song period the text fell into disuse”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

It consists of rhyming segments of eight characters, in which every four characters reference a story from the Confucian tradition.

“Thus it essentially consists of rhyming segments of eight characters, in which every four characters reference a story from the Confucian tradition”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The number of unique characters in the Mengqiu is 1,290, roughly comparable to that in the Qianziwen.

“Yet the number of unique characters in the Mengqiu is only 1,290, which is roughly comparable to that in the Qianziwen.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Some of these were rediscovered for Chinese scholarly circles by the late Qing diplomat and collector Yang Shoujing during his stay in Japan.

“Some of these were rediscovered for Chinese scholarly circles by the late Qing diplomat and collector Yang Shoujing 楊守敬 (1839-1915) during his stay in Japan.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Four-character segments borrowed from elsewhere are not the norm; in most cases the connection is established through a two-character phrase or a name.

“Even so, four-character segments borrowed from elsewhere are not the norm and in most cases the connection is established through a two-character phrase or a name.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The manuscript has eleven half-pages, but the text ends midline about a third through the eleventh half-page.

“There are a total of eleven half-pages but the text ends midline about a third through the eleventh half-page.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

The text itself closely follows that in other versions.

“The text itself closely follows that in other versions.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

A collection of early manuscripts and prints from Japan were published in 1988-1990 as facsimile copies in four volumes by Ikeda Toshio.

“A collection of early manuscripts and prints from Japan were published in 1988-1990 as facsimile copies in four volumes by Ikeda Toshio 池 田利夫 of Tsurumi University.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Li Han's personal name was handed down in variant versions, including 瀚, 翰, 幹, or 澣.

“even his personal name was handed down in variant versions, including 瀚, 翰, 幹, or 澣.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In 742 Raozhou was renamed Boyang commandery, yet Li Liang is mentioned as prefect of Raozhou in 746.

“Another problem was that in 742 Raozhou had been renamed Boyang commandery 鄱陽郡, yet Li Liang is mentioned as being the prefect of Raozhou in 746.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

After the text ends there are two additional half-pages with three dates.

“After the text ends there are two additional half-pages with three dates.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The last character of every second segment rhymes, and the same rhyme continues four times before switching.

“The last character of every second segment rhymes, and the same rhyme continues four times before switching to another one.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The character 世 occurs several times in its tabooed form, which would theoretically suggest a Tang date.

“The character 世 on the other hand occurs several times in its tabooed form, which would theoretically suggest a Tang date.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Although with time the Mengqiu lost its popularity in China, it continued to be used in Japan and Korea.

“Although with time the Mengqiu lost its popularity in China, it continued to be used in Japan and Korea.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, manuscript fragments of the Mengqiu were found at the Mogao caves near Dunhuang and at the ruins of Khara-khoto, all of which predate hitherto available copies.

“At the beginning of the twentieth century, manuscript fragments of the Mengqiu were found at the Mogao caves near Dunhuang in Gansu and at the ruins of Khara-khoto in Inner Mongolia, all of which predate hitherto available copies.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The one conspicuous discrepancy is that Mozi appears in the manuscript as Dizi, using Mozi's personal name instead of his surname.

“The one conspicuous discrepancy is that Mozi 墨子 appears in the manuscript as Dizi 翟子, using Mozi's personal name instead of his surname.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In total, the Mengqiu consists of 596 quadrisyllabic lines, amounting to 2,384 characters.

“In total, the Mengqiu consists of 596 quadrisyllabic lines, which amount to a total of 2,384 characters.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The Mengqiu is written as a series of four-character segments, with every second one rhyming.

“the Mengqiu is written as a series of four-character segments, with every second one rhyming.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The commentary runs in double-line small script, inserted after each rhyme (eight characters).

“The commentary runs in double-line small script, inserted after each rhyme (i.e.eight characters).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

There were local adaptations, such as the Mōgyū waka, a partial translation with appended waka poems, compiled by Minamoto no Mitsuyuki in 1204.

“There were some local adaptations, such as the Mōgyū waka 蒙求和歌, a partial translation with appended waka poems, compiled by Minamoto no Mitsuyuki 源光行 (1163-1244) in 1204.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In the 1970s, a printed edition was discovered among the Liao period books recovered from a wooden pagoda at Ying county.

“In the 1970s, a printed edition was discovered among the Liao period books recovered from a wooden pagoda at Ying county.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

The character 虎 appears in the name of Emperor Gaozu's grandfather Li Hu, whereas the character 世 was part of the name of Li Shimin, i.e. Emperor Taizong.

“The character 虎 appears in the name of Emperor Gaozu's 高祖 (r.618-626) grandfather Li Hu 李虎 (d.551), whereas the character 世 was part of the name of Li Shimin 李世民 (d.598-649), i.e.Emperor Taizong 太宗 (r.626-649).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

This reverses the sequence of the two tropes in comparison with Ren Yansheng's usage, thereby matching the sequence in the Mengqiu.

“Interestingly, this reverses the sequence of the two tropes in comparison with Ren Yansheng's usage, thereby matching the sequence in the Mengqiu.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Until relatively recently, only these two manuscripts kept in Paris were recognized as copies of the Mengqiu.

“Until relatively recently, only these two manuscripts kept in Paris were recognized as copies of the Mengqiu”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The line breaks do not follow the rhythm of the text and the text on the pages is not visually segmented in any way, other than the contrast between the large characters of the main text and the small ones of the commentary.

“The line breaks do not follow the rhythm of the text and the text on the pages is not visually segmented in any way, other than the contrast between the large characters of the main text and the small ones of the commentary.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Mengqiu was extremely popular in the Tang and later periods, becoming one of the most commonly used primers along with the Qianziwen and the Xiaojing.

“The Mengqiu was extremely popular in the Tang and later periods, becoming one of the most commonly used primers along with the Qianziwen and the Xiaojing 孝經.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

There are no punctuation marks except for correction marks used to reverse the order of two accidentally inverted characters.

“There are no punctuation marks except for correction marks used to reverse the order of two accidentally inverted characters.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

P.2710 appears to be a fragment of a scroll.

“this manuscript appears to be a fragment of a scroll.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In the late 1970s, Burton Watson published an English translation of about one fourth of the complete text under the title Meng-ch'iu: Famous Episodes from Chinese History and Legend.

“In the late 1970s, Burton Watson published an English translation of about one fourth of the complete text under the title Meng-ch'iu: Famous Episodes from Chinese History and Legend.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Many of these characters are duplicates, showing that avoiding repeated characters was not an issue, unlike in the Qianziwen.

“Many of these are duplicates, showing that avoiding repeated characters was not an issue, unlike it was in the case of the Qianziwen.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Although only a limited number of manuscripts and imprints of the Mengqiu survive compared to the latter two texts, there is ample evidence in later literature of its influence.

“Although in comparison with the latter two texts only a limited number of manuscripts and imprints survive, there is ample evidence in later literature to its influence.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In its current form the manuscript contains exactly fifty segments, less than a tenth of the entire work.

“In its current form the manuscript contains exactly fifty segments, which is less than a tenth of the entire work.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Almost 80% of the total number of characters in the Mengqiu are not in the Qianziwen, and almost half of those in the Qianziwen are not in the Mengqiu.

“almost 80% of the total number of characters in the Mengqiu are not in the Qianziwen, and almost half of those in the Qianziwen are not in the Mengqiu.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The rhymes continue according to the sequence in the Qieyun, starting with dong.

“The rhymes continue according to the sequence in the Qieyun 切韻, starting with dong 東.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Zheng Acai pointed out that the characters 虎 and 世 appear with a missing stroke, which is one of the ways to avoid the Tang imperial name taboo.

“Zheng Acai 鄭阿財 pointed out that the characters 虎 and 世 appear with a missing stroke which is one of the ways to avoid the Tang imperial name taboo.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Li Shan's commentary quotes additional sources to explain that in their youth both Sun Kang and Ju Yin were so poor that they could not afford lantern oil and had to study using light reflected from snow and provided by fireflies.

“Li Shan's 李善 (d.689) commentary quotes additional sources to explain that in their youth both Sun Kang and Ju Yin were so poor that they could not afford the lantern oil and had to study using the light reflected from snow and that provided by fireflies.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The identity of Li Han and the period he lived in have been disputed.

“The identity of Li Han and the period he lived in have been disputed”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Up to a certain point, the original Mengqiu itself also evolved further by acquiring a new commentary by the Song scholar Xu Ziguang, which improved the original commentary and subsequently became part of most later editions.

“up to a certain point in the time the original Mengqiu itself also evolved further by acquiring a new commentary by the Song scholar Xu Ziguang 徐子光 (fl.late twelfth century) which improved the original commentary in many respects and subsequently became part of most later editions.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Dunhuang fragments ascertain that the author was a native of Anping county and served as director of granaries in Xinzhou prefecture.

“The fragments from Dunhuang also ascertain that the author was a native of Anping 安平 county (modern Hebei), who served as director of granaries (sicang canjun 司倉參軍) in Xinzhou 信州 prefecture (modern Jiangxi).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Two of these fragments (P.2710 and P.4877) were taken back to Paris by Paul Pelliot and are now kept at the Bibliothèque national de France.

“two of which (P.2710 and P.4877) were taken back to Paris by Paul Pelliot (1878-1945) and are now kept at the Bibliothèque national de France (BnF).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The rest of the text is the Mengqiu with Li Han's original commentary.

“and the rest of the text is the Mengqiu with Li Han's original commentary.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Initially, Li Han included his own commentary to the work, which was not so much a commentary but a compilation of the relevant stories as they appeared in their loci classici.

“Initially, Li Han also included his own commentary to the work, which was not so much a commentary but a compilation of the relevant stories as they appeared in their loci classici”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

He brought back with him a manuscript copy from the late Heian period, which is today kept at the National Palace Museum in Taibei.

“He brought back with him a manuscript copy from the late Heian period (794-1185), which is today kept at the National Palace Museum in Taibei.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Later primers such as the Sanzijing and Longwen bianying commonly borrow from the Mengqiu, attesting to its prevalence and authority as a didactic work.

“Later primers (e.g.Sanzijing 三字經, Longwen bianying 龍文鞭影) also commonly borrow from the Mengqiu, attesting not only to its prevalence but also to its authority as a work of didactic nature.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In the Liao imprint, four-character segments are separated by white spaces, with four segments per line and ten lines per half-page.

“The layout of the printed pages is such that the fourcharacter segments are separated by white spaces.Each line has four such segments and each half-page has ten lines.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The same abbreviated form of Yan Shu is found in a Han dynasty tomb illustration but otherwise appears unattested.

“I have found the same abbreviated form in a Han dynasty tomb illustration but otherwise it seems to be unattested.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

It consists of only twenty-eight lines, representing the beginning of the Mengqiu with its original commentary.

“It consists of only twenty-eight lines, representing the beginning of the Mengqiu with its original commentary.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Following the Liao text is a short lexicographic section listing the pronunciation of some characters, presumably those deemed difficult for readers.

“Following the text is a short lexicographic section listing the pronunciation of some characters in the text, presumably the ones deemed difficult for the readership.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The surviving Tangut text contains a didactic question-and-answer text between Emperor Taizong and his minister(s), though it does not match any known Chinese texts.

“The surviving bits of text reveal that the text contained a didactic text in the form of questions and answers between Emperor Taizong and his minister(s), even though it does not match any known Chinese texts.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The Liao text is separated into three juan, each clearly marked at the beginning and end.

“The text is separated into three juan (shang 上, zhong 中 and xia 下), each clearly marked at the beginning and end.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Although the lines are ruled and the copyist obviously tried to follow the traditional way of writing the main text in a single line and the small-script commentaries in double ones, he was not able to do this consistently.

“Although the lines are ruled and the copyist obviously tried to follow the traditional way of writing the main text in a single line and the small-script commentaries in double ones, he was not able to do this consistently.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Liao imprint is a notebook bound in butterfly form and is missing only the first and second half of the ninth page.

“The imprint is a notebook bound in a butterfly form, missing only the first and the second half of the ninth page.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

About two characters worth of space at the end of the last line is left unfilled.

“about two characters worth of space at the end of the last line is left unfilled.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

He used the same technique to remedy the same type of mistake in the first line of the fourth half-page.

“He used the same technique to remedy the same type of mistake in the first line of the fourth half-page.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The very first line of the manuscript has only one line of commentary, which should not have happened.

“the very first line of the manuscript has only one line of commentary, which should not have happened.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The text is continuous, there is no punctuation and the only type of spatial segmentation is the spaces left in the lines that contain the titles of the memorial, the preface and the main text.

“The text is continuous, there is no punctuation and the only type of spatial segmentation is the spaces left in the lines that contain the titles of the memorial, the preface and the main text.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

After this comes the main text with no commentaries.

“After this comes the main text with no commentaries.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The paper itself is ruled so that there are six lines per half-page but the ruling is observed relatively loosely.

“The paper itself is ruled so that there are six lines per half-page but the ruling is observed relatively loosely.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

P.4877 consists of one sheet of paper which used to form four half-pages of a notebook.

“The manuscript consists of one sheet of paper which used to form four half-pages of a notebook.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In order not to leave a large chunk of space which in principle should not remain empty, he dotted out the rest of the line.

“In order not to leave a large chunk of space which in principle should not remain empty, he dotted out the rest of the line.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

There are only seven lines of this, amounting to a total of twenty-eight four-character segments, that is, the very beginning of the text.

“There are only seven lines of this, amounting to a total of twenty-eight four-character segments, that is, the very beginning of the text.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

On the second half-page, the second line of the double-line commentary is left empty halfway through because the copyist did not divide the text of the commentary evenly between the two lines.

“Then on the second half-page, the second line of the double-line commentary is left empty halfway through because the copyist did not divide the text of the commentary evenly between the two lines.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

In the Liao imprint, each half-page has ten lines and each line originally had sixteen characters.

“Each half-page is made up of ten lines of text and each line had sixteen characters.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In its current state the manuscript is similar to DY045 discussed above, which also ends midline.

“in its current state the manuscript is similar to DY045 discussed above, which also ends midline.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The calligraphy is visibly inferior to that in the other two Dunhuang manuscripts and there are also problems with the spatial arrangement of the lines.

“The calligraphy is visibly inferior to that in the other two Dunhuang manuscripts and there are also problems with the spatial arrangement of the lines.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In the Liao imprint, the character zi occurs in place of bai in the phrase 'Zheng Jun's white clothes', referring to the Eastern Han official Zheng Jun.

“For example, the character zi 自 (“self”) occurs in place of bai 白 (“white”) in the phrase “Zheng Jun's white clothes” 鄭均白衣, in reference to the Eastern Han official Zheng Jun (?-96) who had the nickname White-clothed Minister 白衣尚書.44”

• cites [44]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

On the published facsimile images, the character 布 appears to be missing its last vertical stroke, which is consistent with name taboos but does not occur in the personal name of any Khitan emperor.

“In addition, on the published facsimile images the character 布 seems to be missing its last (vertical) stroke, which is consistent with the practice of name taboos but does not occur in the personal name of any of the Khitan emperors.40”

• cites [40]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In the middle of the sheet, at the folding line there are several small holes giving evidence that the original book was once sewn together with a thread.

“In the middle of the sheet, at the folding line there are several small holes giving evidence that the original book was once sewn together with a thread.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Although the beginning of the Liao text is missing, its end contains the words 'three juan in one'.

“Although the beginning of the text is missing, the end has the words 'three juan in one' 一部三卷.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Whoever copied the text did this not with a brush but a pen which in Dunhuang is generally considered to have replaced the brush from about the 770s, after the region came under Tibetan control.

“Whoever copied the text did this not with a brush but a pen which in Dunhuang is generally considered to have replaced the brush from about the 770s, after the region came under Tibetan control.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The manuscript begins with the memorial of Li Liang, followed by Li Hua's preface.

“The manuscript begins with the memorial of Li Liang, followed by Li Hua's preface.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

During his 1914 visit to the ruins of Khara-khoto near the Edzin-gol river, Sir Aurel Stein excavated several thousand Tangut fragments and some Chinese texts.

“During his 1914 visit to the ruins of Khara-khoto near the Edzin-gol river, Sir Aurel Stein (1862-1943) excavated several thousand Tangut fragments and some Chinese texts.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The fragment only contains sixteen segments of the original texts, including the commentary.

“The fragment only contains sixteen segments of the original texts, including the commentary.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Tangut text refers to Yan Shuzi as Yan Shu, omitting the last syllable, a form that is almost never used except in the Mengqiu.

“More importantly, it refers to Yan Shuzi as Yan Shu, omitting the last syllable of his name, which is significant because this name is almost never written like this, except in the Mengqiu (i.e.“Yan Shu bing zhu” 顏叔秉燭) where it is necessitated by the tetrasyllabic format of the segments.36”

• cites [36] Nali Zhang, 2002, Dunhuang yanjiu 敦煌研究 [The Study of Dunhuang]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

There are also numerous corrections either using proper correction marks or simply by writing over mistaken characters.

“There are also numerous corrections either using proper correction marks or simply by writing over mistaken characters.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

This completely disrupted the layout of the page and to rectify the problem he had to apply several ad-hoc solutions, none of which fully resolved the layout issues.

“This completely disrupted the layout of the page and to rectify the problem he had to apply several ad-hoc solutions, none of which fully resolved the layout issues.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Earlier on the third half-page, he missed count of the commentary lines and, disregarding the ruling of the page, began a line of full-size characters in a half-size commentary line.

“But earlier on the third half-page, he missed count of the commentary lines and, disregarding the ruling of the page, began a line of full-size characters in a half-size commentary line.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

No copy of the Mengqiu was found in Central China, even though that is where it was written.

“It is a curious fact that no copy was found in Central China, even though that is where it was written.”

It may state two separate claims as one. The quote only partly states this claim.

Manuscript S.395 contains a copy of the didactic text Kongzi Xiang Tuo in a crude hand, with a colophon recording Zhang Yanbao, a lay student at the Jingtu monastery, in 943.

“For example, manuscript S.395 contains a copy of the didactic text Kongzi Xiang Tuo 孔子項托 in a decidedly crude hand, to which the following colophon is appended:”

It may state two separate claims as one.

None of the excavated Mengqiu copies had colophons, so there is no explicit connection with the students whose colophons are found on other Dunhuang manuscripts.

“Coming back to the Mengqiu, none of the excavated copies had colophons and thus we do not have an explicit connection with the students whose colophons are found on other manuscripts at Dunhuang.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Most textual material excavated at Khara-khoto was written in Tangut, but some was in Chinese and Tibetan.

“Most of the textual material excavated at this site was written in Tangut but there were also some in Chinese in Tibetan.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Other known early copies of the Mengqiu survive in Japan and, to a lesser degree, Korea.

“Other known early copies of the Mengqiu survive in Japan and, to a lesser degree, Korea.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Manuscript S.707 has a copy of the Xiaojing, and its colophon identifies the copier as Cao Yuanshen, a student at the Sanjie monastery.

“Manuscript S.707 has a copy of the Xiaojing and the colophon identifies the person who copied it as Cao Yuanshen 曹元深, a student at the Sanjie monastery.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Mengqiu copies discussed in the paper all come from the northwestern periphery of China and range in date from the ninth to the twelfth centuries.

“The copies of the Mengqiu discussed in this paper all come from the northwestern periphery of China and range in date from the ninth to the twelfth centuries.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Typically, such colophons appear at the end of a copied text, often a primer or didactic text such as the Qianziwen or the Taigong jiajiao, and record the student's name and the time when copying was completed.

“Typically, such colophons appear at the end of a copied text, often a primer or didactic text such as the Qianziwen or the Taigong jiajiao 太公家教, and record the name of the student and the time when the copying was completed.53”

• cites [53]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

There are numerous copies of the Xiaojing among the Dunhuang manuscripts and at least two Tangut-language versions were found at Khara-khoto.

“There are numerous copies of the Xiaojing among the Dunhuang manuscripts and at least two Tangut-language versions were found among at the ruins of Khara-khoto.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The authors may not put it forward as true. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

The printed edition of the Mengqiu found in the wooden pagoda at Ying county came from the Khitan state that controlled a large part of northern China in the tenth and eleventh centuries.

“Finally, the printed edition of the Mengqiu found in 45 Bi 1982: 27.46 Torii 1942: 22-23, 103-106.The Mengqiu mentions digging a hole because according to the story in the Soushenji 搜神記, Guo Ju and his wife were taking care of his old mother when the wife gave birth to a son.Guo Ju feared that the son might hamper their caring for his mother and, in addition, the old lady might be willing to share”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Other early copies of the Mengqiu survive in Japan, but remarkably none survive from Central China, where the book was quite popular until at least the end of the Song period.

“Other early copies survive in Japan but remarkably none from Central China where the book was quite popular until at least the end of the Song period.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The three Dunhuang Mengqiu copies are didactic primers of Confucian nature found in the same cave amidst tens of thousands of Buddhist manuscripts.

“In addition, they are copies of didactic primers of Confucian nature found in the same cave amidst tens of thousands of Buddhist manuscripts.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Although the bulk of manuscripts in the Dunhuang cave library initially came from the Sanjie monastery, colophons also identify other monasteries such as the Dayun and Longxing monasteries.

“Although we know that the bulk of manuscripts in the Dunhuang cave library initially came from the Sanjie monastery, the colophons also identify other monasteries, such as the Dayun 大雲 or Longxing 龍興 monasteries.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Khara-khoto fragment was found within the city walls rather than in the large stupa outside the walls that yielded most of the Tangut and Chinese books, but it still came from a site with a strong Buddhist component.

“Even though the Khara-khoto fragment was found within the city walls, rather than in the large stupa outside the walls which yielded most of the Tangut and Chinese books, it nevertheless came from a site which had a strong Buddhist component to it.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Both in Dunhuang and Khara-khoto, the vast majority of manuscripts and imprints were Buddhist, and only a much smaller portion comprised secular texts.

“Both in Dunhuang and Khara-khoto, the vast majority of manuscripts and imprints were Buddhist in nature and only a much smaller portion comprised texts we may categorize as secular.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Numerous early copies of the Xiaojing survive in Japan and Korea, where the text was in uninterrupted use more or less until modern times.

“There are also numerous early copies surviving in Japan and Korea where the text has been in uninterrupted use more or less until modern times.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Although historical sources refer to a Jurchen Xiaojing, no physical copy of it has been found so far.

“But even though there are references in historical sources to a Jurchen Xiaojing, no physical copy of it has been found so far.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The Mengqiu is attributed to Li Han of the Tang dynasty.

“One of the noteworthy examples of medieval primers is the Mengqiu 蒙求, a work attributed to Li Han 李瀚 (d.u.) of the Tang dynasty.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

Surviving manuscripts and imprints are first-hand witnesses of medieval educational practices.

“the surviving manuscripts and imprints are first-hand witnesses of medieval educational practices”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Most surviving manuscripts and imprints were copied by students as part of their schoolwork.

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

Primers and didactic texts are an important genre because they can complement our limited knowledge of traditional education.

“primers and didactic texts composed for educational purposes are yet another important genre, as they can be used to complement our rather limited knowledge of traditional education.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

At least part of the Dunhuang library cave manuscript collection belonged to the Sanjie monastery in Dunhuang.

“there is reason to believe that at least part of its content used to belong to the Sanjie monastery 三界寺 in Dunhuang.”

• cites van Schaik and Galambos 2012Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Excavated manuscripts and imprints can shed light on how educational texts were used in medieval society and on the circumstances of their production.

“Yet excavated manuscripts and imprints have the potential to shed light on how these texts were used in medieval society and what the circumstances of their production were.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Without knowing the background stories, the segments are decidedly cryptic and almost impossible to understand unless one is already familiar with them.

“without knowing the background stories, the segments are decidedly cryptic and almost impossible to understand unless one is already familiar with the background stories.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The sequence itself can aid memorization.

“Thus the sequence itself can also aid memorization.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The four-character references provide compact allusions to persons and events that may serve as exemplary models for students.

“providing compact allusions to persons and events that may serve as exemplary models for students.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Because the Mengqiu itself is a collection of references to earlier sources, we often do not immediately recognize it as the source behind an allusion; only closer scrutiny can reveal the Mengqiu as the immediate inspiration.

“Because the Mengqiu itself is a collection of references to earlier sources (e.g.Shi ji 史記, Hou Han shu, Jin shu), we often do not immediately recognize it as the source behind an allusion and at times only closer scrutiny can reveal the Mengqiu as the immediate inspiration.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

The target audience of the Mengqiu would have been elementary school children.

“in the case of the Mengqiu the target audience would have been elementary school children.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Separating these figures into real and fictive categories probably reflects a modern understanding of the past.

“separating them into real and fictive categories probably reflects a modern understanding of the past.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The imbalance between the two small-script lines of the commentary is the result of not having counted the characters to know where to halve the relevant text.

“The imbalance between the two small-script lines of the commentary is obviously the result of not having counted the characters to know where to halve the relevant text of the commentary so that it is evenly distributed.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

By memorizing the nearly six hundred four-character segments in the Mengqiu, one can gain access to a surprisingly large pool of classical narratives, all of which carry some sort of educational message.

“by memorizing the nearly six hundred four-character segments in the Mengqiu one can gain access to a surprisingly large pool of classical narratives, all of which carry some sort of educational message.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Four characters are insufficient to retell entire narratives; instead they function as a mnemonic aid to recall stories already known to the audience.

“Naturally, four characters are insufficient to retell entire narratives so instead they function as a mnemonic aid to recall stories already known to the audience.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

It is generally accepted that the Mengqiu was produced by Li Han around the mid-eighth century.

“but it is generally accepted that it was produced by Li Han (regardless of how he wrote his name) around the mid-eighth century.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The title of the Mengqiu is meant in the sense of something that the youth seek, which in this context would be sound education.

“the title of the Mengqiu is meant in the sense of something that the youth seek, which in this context would be sound education.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The title of the Mengqiu comes from the Zhouyi, where the hexagram meng is explained.

“The title of the Mengqiu comes from the Zhouyi 周易, where the hexagram meng 蒙 is explained the following way”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

These taboos would indicate a Tang date anywhere between 618 and the end of the dynasty, as the Tang name taboos would have lost their binding effect after that.

“These taboos would indicate a Tang date anywhere between 618 and the end of the dynasty, as the Tang name taboos would have lost their binding effect after that.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

This consistent pattern of having smaller characters after eight large ones is already a kind of rhythm and could be regarded as a form of segmentation.

“This consistent pattern of having smaller characters after eight large ones is of course already a kind of rhythm and could be regarded as a form of segmentation.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Perhaps more reliable would be to date the manuscript on the basis of its book form and calligraphy, both of which would point to the ninth-tenth century.

“Perhaps more reliable would be to date the manuscript on the basis of its book form and calligraphy, both of which would point to the ninth-tenth century.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

For someone who had heard the stories, it is relatively easy to recall them using the four-character references.

“But for someone who had heard the stories, it is relatively easy to recall them using the four character references.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Nüwa would have been just as much part of the Chinese historical tradition as King Wen or Zhuge Liang.

“Nüwa 女媧 would have been just as much part of the Chinese historical tradition as King Wen 文王 or Zhuge Liang 諸葛亮 (181-234)”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

On the top margin of the last half-page of the Liao imprint there is a hand-drawn caricature of a man spreading his arms, a later addition perhaps drawn by a young student using the book.

“Finally, on the top margin of this last half-page we see a hand-drawn caricature of a man spreading his arms, obviously a later addition, perhaps drawn by a young student while using the book.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The overlap between the Tangut fragment and the Mengqiu is significant, especially because the three matching stories occur relatively close to each other in the Mengqiu.

“Although the Tangut relates the stories in full sentences, considering the small size of the fragment, the overlap is significant, especially that the three stories are found in the Mengqiu relatively close to each other.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Liao imprint is the earliest printed copy of the main-text-only Mengqiu, even though all three Dunhuang manuscript copies pre-date it because the Dunhuang cave library is believed to have been sealed around 1006.

“Thus this is the earliest printed copy of the main-text only Mengqiu, even though all three manuscript copies from Dunhuang pre-date it because the Dunhuang cave library is believed to have been sealed around 1006.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Dunhuang cave library was sealed around 1006.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Although the Tangut text is not a translation of the Mengqiu, it was translated from a Chinese text that relied heavily on the Mengqiu and was itself a primer.

“Therefore, even though it is clear that the Tangut text is not the translation of the Mengqiu, it was translated from a Chinese text that relied heavily on the Mengqiu and was itself a primer.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

It may have been rolled up as a small scroll but it was a single sheet of paper with the unfinished Mengqiu.

“It may have been rolled up as a small scroll but it was a single sheet of paper with the unfinished Mengqiu.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Tangut fragment is a one-sheet manuscript representing two pages of an original book and was most likely translated from a now lost Chinese original.

“This is a one sheet manuscript representing two pages of an original book, most likely translated from a now lost Chinese original.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

With twenty-eight lines on it, this seems to be a complete sheet of paper, the type that is ordinarily used for creating scrolls.

“With twenty-eight lines on it, this seems to be a complete sheet of paper, the type that is ordinarily used for creating scrolls.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In both cases the mistakes are clearly due to graphic similarity of characters, yet they would have been easy to spot if someone had proofread the text.

“In both cases, the mistake is clearly due to the graphic similarity of characters yet they would have been easy to spot if someone took the effort to proofread the text.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The omission of 'Wang Xun duan bu' is an obvious error because it differs from other versions and disrupts the Mengqiu's parallelism and rhyme.

“This is an obvious error not just because it differs from other versions of the text but also because the omission disrupts the carefully observed parallelism of the Mengqiu and leaves out the rhyme.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Modern scholars who compared the Liao imprint with other versions of the Mengqiu noted that the printed fragment has a relatively large number of mistakes and is not very reliable as a textual witness.

“As it has been noted by modern scholars who compared it with other versions of the Mengqiu, the printed fragment has a relatively large number of mistakes and is thus not very reliable as a textual witness.43”

• cites [43]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Based on the received version, 160 characters are missing from the beginning of the Liao imprint, exactly one half-page.

“Based on the received version of the Mengqiu we can ascertain that there are 160 characters missing from the beginning of the text, that is, exactly one half-page.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Some discrepancies between the Liao imprint and other early versions can be attributed to a different transmission lineage, but there are also variants that are plainly wrong and particular to this copy.

“While some of the discrepancies with other early versions can be attributed to being part of a different transmission lineage, there are also variants that are plainly wrong and are particular to this one copy.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

This sheet has margins on the left and right sides, a two character empty space at the end, all of which suggests that the copying was interrupted exactly where the text ends today and there were no second, third or further sheets.

“Yet this sheet has margins on the left and right sides, a two character empty space at the end, all of which suggests that the copying was interrupted exactly where the text ends today and there were no second, third or further sheets.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Because Liang Xi was an attested historical figure and the name Xi appears correctly in manuscript DY049, this variant may be discounted as a copying mistake.

“Considering that Liang Xi was an attested historical figure and that the name Xi appears correctly, among others, in manuscript DY049, this variant may be simply discounted as a copying mistake.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

Missing strokes on the characters 明 and 真 indicate an imperial name taboo, leading the organizers to conclude that the Liao imprint was printed during or after the reign of Emperor Xingzong.

“In the imprint, the characters 明 and 真 appear with a missing stroke, indicating an imperial name taboo, which led the organizers of the material to the conclusion that the book must have been printed during or after the reign of the Khitan Emperor Xingzong 興宗 (r.1031-1055), whose personal name was Zongzhen 宗真.38”

• cites [38] Acai Zheng, 2003, Dunhuangxue 敦煌學; [Dunhuang Studies]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

The conclusion is that the Liao copy must have been done at the Western Capital of the Liao and was intended for local schools.

“conclusion that this copy must have been done at the Western Capital of the Liao and was intended for local schools.45”

• cites [45]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Although at first sight it may seem that we do not have the rest of the main text because the original scroll is damaged, the manuscript may in fact be complete in its current form.

“Although at first sight it may seem that we do not have the rest of the main text because the original scroll is damaged, the manuscript may in fact be complete in its current form.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The match between the Khara-khoto copy and some early Japanese manuscripts cannot be attributed to coincidence and suggests a connection between those lineages.

“Moreover, the fact that this character in the Khara-khoto copy matches some early Japanese manuscripts cannot be attributed to a coincidence but suggests a connection between those lineages.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The complete Liao book probably did not include the preface and memorial, unless they were arranged with the title on exactly one half-page, which is unlikely given their length.

“This suggests that in its complete form the book did not include the preface and the memorial, unless they were arranged along with the title on exactly one half-page, which is unlikely considering their length.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Other works were used for similar purposes, most notably the Qianziwen and the Xiaojing, but only the Mengqiu survived in Dunhuang, Japan, Khara-khoto, and the old Khitan state.

“For the same reason, there were a number of other works used for similar purposes, most notably the Qianziwen and the Xiaojing but it is only the Mengqiu that survived not only in Dunhuang and Japan but also in Khara-khoto and on the territory of the old Khitan state.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In Dunhuang, this period coincides with the Guiyijun period, which began in 848 after the Tibetans withdrew and the city came under the rule of first the Zhang and subsequently the Cao families.

“In Dunhuang, this coincides with the Guiyijun period which began in 848 after the Tibetans withdrew from the region and the city came under the rule of first the Zhang 張 and subsequently the Cao 曹 families.52”

• cites [52]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Apart from being a practical tool for acquiring Chinese characters, the Mengqiu encapsulated a large pool of stories from the Confucian tradition and presented them in an accessible and easily memorizable way.

“Apart from providing a practical tool for the acquisition of Chinese characters, it also encapsulated a large pool of stories from the Confucian tradition, presenting them to students in an accessible and easily memorizable way.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Li Zhengyu collected 144 colophons in which students refer to themselves as xuelang, xueshilang, or xuesheng, of which 72 had a clearly identifiable date.

“Li Zhengyu 李正宇 collected a total of 144 such colophons, of which 72 had a clearly identifiable date.50”

• cites [50]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Yuanshen himself ruled from 939 to 945, but at the time of the manuscript he was at most twenty years old and apparently still studying.

“His son Yuanshen himself ruled from 939 to 945 but at this point in time he was at most twenty years old, apparently still studying.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Mair stressed that popular narratives previously interpreted as being used by monks for evangelistic purposes were in fact written by students as part of their schoolwork.

“One of the important points stressed by Mair was that the popular narratives which used to be interpreted as being used by monks for “evangelistic purposes” were in fact written by students as part of their schoolwork.”

• cites [48]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

The discovery of the Mengqiu copies proves the widespread distribution of the work and its pragmatic qualities that made it useful for didactic purposes among China's neighbors.

“Having said that, the discovery of the Mengqiu copies proves the widespread distribution of the work and its pragmatic qualities that made it useful for didactic purposes among China's neighbors.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

While there might be some truth to the preservation theory, it does not explain the high survival rate of medieval Chinese manuscripts in Japan and Korea.

“While there might be some truth to this theory, it does not explain the high survival rate of medieval Chinese manuscripts in Japan and Korea.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In one sense this survival pattern is purely a coincidence because other primers such as the Xiaojing were known to be in use in all these states, even without archaeological finds to corroborate it.

“In one sense, this is purely a coincidence because we know for certain that other texts used as primers, such as the Xiaojing, were in use in all of these states, even if we do not have archaeological finds to corroborate this.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The printed Khitan copy from Ying county was obviously produced for educational purposes and, judging by the little hand-drawn figure on the last page, had in fact been used by a student.

“Similarly, the printed 54 Cao Yuanshen's name is prefixed by the title langjun 郎君, which has a variety of meanings but in this case probably means something like “prince” and designate the son of the ruler.The colophon of manuscript P.2808 from two years earlier (923) includes several names, including a “Cao langjun” whose personal name cannot be seen anymore.Considering the temporal proximity of”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Dunhuang manuscripts were produced in ninth- or tenth-century Dunhuang under the Guiyijun regime, a military governorship nominally controlled by the Tang state but effectively an independent kingdom with its own ruling house and a multilingual population.

“The Dunhuang manuscripts were produced in ninth or tenth century Dunhuang, which was under the Guiyijun 歸義軍 regime, a military governorship nominally controlled by the Tang state and its successors but in effect an independent kingdom with its own ruling house and a multilingual and multicultural population.47”

• cites [47]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

The Mengqiu may have had an influence on Khitan art.

“As a tangential note, we may also add that the Mengqiu may have had an influence on Khitan art.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

There are more early manuscripts of the Mengqiu in Japan than in all other places together, which attests to its popularity on the Japanese archipelago and its continuous use for almost a millennium.

“There are more early manuscripts of this work in Japan than in all other places together, which attests not only to the popularity of this work on the Japanese archipelago but also to its continuous use for almost a millennium.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

There is little doubt that the Mengqiu copies found at these sites were all related to teaching literacy skills to students, and in some cases were actually copied by the students themselves.

“There is little doubt that the copies of the Mengqiu found at these sites were all related to teaching literacy skills to students and in some cases where actually copied by the students themselves.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

One main reason for the lack of Central China finds may be that there have been no great manuscript discoveries there, whereas the desert climate and physical isolation of the northwestern regions facilitated manuscript preservation.

“Naturally, one of the main reasons for this may be that there have been no great manuscript discoveries in Central China, whereas the desert climate and physical isolation of the northwestern regions facilitated the preservation of manuscripts.”

The quote only partly states this claim.

The phenomenon of lay students studying at Buddhist monasteries was not limited to one particular monastery but seems to have been a general practice in Dunhuang in the ninth and tenth centuries.

“Thus the phenomenon of lay students studying at Buddhist monasteries was not limited to one particular monastery but seems to have been a general 49 The word xueshilang alternatively appears in the manuscripts as 學仕郎.Another common characteristic of this group of colophons is that the character 學 is often written with the variant 斈.50 Li 1987: 26.The issue of xuelang students had been raised”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

This phenomenon is not particular to the Mengqiu, as archaeological discoveries of manuscripts and printed books from this period mainly happened along the northwestern peripheries of today's China.

“This phenomenon is of course not particular to the Mengqiu, as archaeological discoveries of manuscripts and printed books from this period mainly happened along the northwestern peripheries of today's China.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Whether the Dunhuang situation was representative for the rest of China is impossible to tell, but the discovery of primers and other educational texts at other Buddhist sites in the northwest suggests that this may have been the case in peripheral semi-Chinese regions.

“Whether the situation we see in the Dunhuang manuscripts was representative for the rest of China is impossible to tell but the discovery of primers and other educational texts at other Buddhist sites in the northwest suggest that at least in these peripheral semi-Chinese regions this may have been the case.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The main value of the Mengqiu was surely its connection with traditional Chinese sources, functioning as an index to a wide range of exemplary cases for young learners.

“The main value of the text surely was its connection with traditional Chinese sources, in essence functioning as an index to a wide range of exemplary cases that may be of concern to young learners.”