Void Realm (Buddhism and Chinese Culture)

Author: Zhang Liwen (Editor-in-Chief), Xiang Shiling (Deputy Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Buddhist thought is vast and profound. Since its introduction to China in the late Western Han Dynasty, it has gradually been Sinicized through continuous interaction, dependence, conflict, and integration with traditional Chinese thought and indigenous religions. It evolved into a new theoretical and philosophical form—Chinese Buddhism—and became one of the three major pillars influencing the development of Chinese cultural and academic history. Many profound and subtle aspects of Buddhism have been integrated into the invaluable spiritual heritage of the Chinese nation. This book takes a broad perspective of traditional Chinese culture, drawing on historical materials from the Five Classics, the Records of the Grand Historian, the Four Books, and Buddhist canonical texts. With the mutual permeation and integration of Buddhism and traditional Chinese scholarship as its central theme, it conducts a comprehensive, multi-faceted, and multi-level exploration of Buddhism. The content includes Buddhism and life, Taoism, Confucianism, metaphysics, logic, ethics, sociology, economics, ecology, literature, art, folklore, and modernization. It analyzes and reveals the essence, philosophical approach, humanistic spirit, modern value, and fundamental characteristics of Buddhism in traditional Chinese culture from a metaphysical perspective. It also outlines and elaborates on the interactive and integrated relationships between Buddhism and traditional Chinese culture from a material and secular dimension. Additionally, it explores the profound influence of Buddhism on the secular lives and value orientations of the Chinese people.