Foreword / by Victor H. Mair -- Introduction -- Baojuan about Mulian and performance literature -- The Mulian story in Chinese literature -- An early example in baojuan -- Sectarian examples in Dizang baojuan and baojuan of benefiting living beings -- Beliefs and practices in sectarian baojuan -- Late examples in baojuan of three rebirths and precious account of Mulian -- The religious and performative context of late baojuan about Mulian -- Conclusion.