China Buddhist Encyclopedia · Classics Volume

Author: Chen Shiqiang
Author Country: China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-12-01
Features: The Buddhist teachings are vast, numbering eighty-four thousand methods; the scriptures are extensive, encompassing the Three Baskets and Twelve Divisions. This is an extremely precious human heritage and spiritual wealth. As people's understanding of its religious, cultural, and even social value continues to deepen, the number of those studying Buddhism has been increasing. However, faced with the eighty-four thousand methods, how should one begin? How can the vast treasure trove of scriptures truly be made beneficial upon opening? For beginners who have made progress, how can they advance step by step and reach a higher level? For those who have long been engaged in research, how can they broaden their perspectives and further explore the cultural and social value of Buddhism, contributing to purifying people's minds and creating a spiritual civilization for the era? All of these, the Encyclopedia of Chinese Buddhism will strive to make its best efforts.
The Buddhist scriptures are numerous and their teachings profound. The Scriptures Volume provides concise introductions and interpretations of all important Buddhist scriptures, including their compilation, classification, the authors and translators of each section, their core ideas, and their significance in Buddhist history, making it clear at a glance and guiding readers through the scriptures. The Teachings Volume offers in-depth yet accessible explanations and critiques of the formation of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism, their ideological connotations, and philosophical implications, providing a comprehensive and clear understanding of Buddhist teachings.
Buddhism has a long history and numerous sects. The History Volume systematically organizes and analyzes the historical development of Buddhism in China, its social and historical foundations, and its cultural and intellectual background, presenting a clear yet well-documented account of its evolution. The Sects Volume provides a profound discussion and analysis of the ideological origins, academic traditions, fundamental teachings, and interrelationships of the major sects in Chinese Buddhist history, from the "Six Schools and Seven Schools" of the Chan School during the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties to the Four Major Schools of Buddhism in the Sui and Tang dynasties, showcasing the splendor of the golden age of Tang Dynasty Buddhist studies.
Chinese Buddhism has produced generations of eminent monks since the Han and Wei dynasties, with notable figures throughout history. The Figures Volume reports on the lives, thoughts, translations, and moral conduct of famous Buddhist masters, presenting both objective and detailed accounts that reflect the historical landscape of Chinese Buddhism.
The institutional and ritual practices of Chinese Buddhism have some roots in Indian Buddhism but also exhibit strong Chinese characteristics. It is said, "Ma Zu established monasteries, and Bai Zhang established the rules," indicating that many of the monastic institutions and ritual regulations of Chinese Buddhism were created by Chinese monks. The Rituals Volume provides a detailed introduction and critique of Buddhist monasteries, temples, teaching systems, festivals, rituals, and even the Arhats and Bodhisattvas, offering a glimpse into the institutional and monastic life of Han-influenced Buddhism.
Another important feature of Chinese Buddhism is its gradual transformation into a Chinese form under the influence of traditional Chinese culture. Since the Sui and Tang dynasties, Chinese Buddhism has, in turn, had a profound impact on traditional Chinese culture. This is particularly evident in the integration of Chan with traditional poetry, calligraphy, and painting, which evolved into Chan poetry and Chan painting. The Poetry and Verses Volume selects nearly two hundred poems and verses, deeply analyzing their literary charm while highlighting the Buddhist and Chan insights they contain. Through comparative analysis, it explores the interpenetration and mutual influence between Chan and ancient Chinese poetry, demonstrating that, as the ancients said, "One cannot truly understand poetry without understanding Chan."
The Painting and Calligraphy Volume employs a combination of case studies and historical narration to reveal the profound relationship between Buddhist and Chan principles and ancient Chinese painting and calligraphy. On one hand, monks and Chan masters often engaged in painting and calligraphy; on the other hand, many painters and calligraphers were also involved in Buddhism. On one hand, Buddhist and Chan principles are deeply embedded in these artworks; on the other hand, the art world is filled with Chan and Buddhist themes. The historical development of ancient Chinese painting and calligraphy indeed resonates with the evolution of Buddhist thought.
Buddhist art is an important component of Chinese Buddhist culture, particularly Buddhist architecture, sculpture, and its influence on ancient Chinese architectural and sculptural art, all of which warrant in-depth exploration and discovery.
The Sculpture Volume provides a thorough introduction, analysis, and discussion of the introduction, evolution, and unique Chinese development of Buddhist sculpture, covering its forms, gold leafing, and even painted sculptures and murals in grottoes, systematically presenting the entire panorama of Chinese Buddhist sculpture. The Architecture Volume offers a comprehensive and even highly professional introduction and critique of the historical development of Chinese Buddhist architecture, the layouts of Buddhist monasteries of different sects, the structures of various Buddhist halls, and their characteristics, as well as typical Buddhist structures like monasteries and pagodas. This not only helps understand historical Buddhist architecture but also offers valuable insights for the construction of future monasteries and temples.
China has the saying, "Famous mountains are mostly occupied by monks." Many historical scenic spots are associated with Buddhism, and the development of Chinese Buddhism is often linked to the changes in monasteries. The Famous Mountains and Monasteries Volume provides detailed introductions to the Four Sacred Mountains of Chinese Buddhism, as well as hundreds of famous monasteries across the country, describing their geographical locations, cultural landscapes, founding monks and sect characteristics, historical evolution, and current scale, allowing visitors to appreciate the country's famous mountains and monasteries while gaining insights into the rise and fall and transformation of Chinese Buddhism.
The Encyclopedia of Chinese Buddhism consists of eleven volumes, totaling approximately three million words. From scriptures, teachings, figures, history, sects, rituals, poetry and verses, painting and calligraphy, sculpture, architecture, and famous mountains and monasteries, it comprehensively and systematically presents the overall picture and historical development of Chinese Buddhism and its culture. It includes introductions to basic knowledge, explanations of major teachings, overviews of historical development, in-depth analyses of specific cases, discussions of religious significance, and revelations of cultural value.
In the compilers' subjective aspiration, they strive to balance popular accessibility with academic rigor, making the Encyclopedia both a stepping stone for beginners and a valuable reference for Buddhist scholars. Of course, due to the compilers' limited knowledge and understanding, errors and biases are inevitable. All of these are left to the kindness of experts and eminent masters for correction and guidance.
Lai Yonghai