Fused Buddhism: A Study of the Buddhist Thought of Guifeng Zongmi: A Study of the Buddhist Thought of Guifeng Zongmi

Author: Dong Qun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-06-01
Features: The fundamental characteristics of religious and Buddhist philosophical thought. Zong Mi's thought is very rich; he was proficient in both internal and external studies. Internal studies involved Chinese and Indian Buddhism. Chinese Buddhism covered the entire Buddhist history from the Han Dynasty to the mid-Tang Dynasty, especially Chan, Teaching, and Vinaya, the various Chan schools within Chan, and the different Teaching schools, in which he was well-versed. How to grasp the core of his thought? Integration is a very prominent feature. Starting from integration, one can grasp the essence of Zong Mi's thought. Therefore, the writing method of this book is to integrate Zong Mi's thought throughout. Zong Mi proposed the theory of integration with deep considerations, aiming to change the current state of Buddhist development in the mid-Tang Dynasty and provide a solution for the future development of Chinese Buddhism. The state of Buddhism at that time was: the opposition between Chan and Teaching, and the proliferation of various sects within Chan. Zong Mi attempted to integrate the sects within Chan and the integration between Chan and Teaching, hoping to lead Buddhism along the path of integration. He also hoped to take Buddhism as the main subject, integrating Confucianism and Taoism, and through this "Three Teachings Unity," he also attempted to provide a solution to the series of social problems faced by mid-Tang society.