Economic Activities of Buddhist Temples in China from the 5th to the 10th Centuries -- Juequn Buddhist Translation Series

Author: (French), translated by
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: Buddhism originated in India but was flourishing in China. Since its introduction during the Eastern Han Dynasty, efforts across various dynasties translated Buddhist scriptures originally written in Sanskrit (or Pali) and other ancient Indian languages into Chinese. Through manual copying and the eventual adoption of printing technology, the Dharma deeply permeated the hearts of the people, benefiting countless believers. This meritorious act of translation spanned over a millennium.
Particularly, the people of China had long-standing exchanges with the people of India, sharing similar intellectual inclinations. Over centuries of interaction and integration with traditional Chinese thought and culture during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Buddhism gradually matured, giving rise to new sects and flourishing in, unprecedented in history. Its influence extended to neighboring countries such as Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, where Mahayana Buddhism became widely practiced.
Throughout the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, China remained a hub of Mahayana Buddhism, earning the title of the "Second Homeland of Buddhism." This was closely tied to the dedication of both monastic and lay scholars to exploring the principles of the Dharma. Since ancient times, there has been a distinction between monks and lay practitioners in the study of Buddhist teachings, though the term "research" was not used. Those who pursued the essence of Buddhism out of faith are well-documented throughout history.
In modern times, the advancement of science and technology has spurred the growth of Buddhist studies. Since Max Müller of Germany proposed the concept of "Religious Studies" in the 19th century, the field has flourished in the West. As one of the world's oldest religions, Buddhist studies overseas have also seen significant development, from Japan to South Asia, from Germany and France to England. Scholars have made notable contributions to the study of Theravada Buddhist scriptures and cultural history.
Particularly in the United States, since C.R. Leeman and others founded the Harvard East Asian Series and laid the foundation for Buddhist studies in America, research has expanded geographically to include Theravada Buddhism, Indian Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism (including Tibetan Buddhism), and East Asian Buddhism, covering all aspects such as doctrine, scriptures, rituals, economy, and politics. The results have been remarkable. Today, studies have advanced to Pali, Sanskrit, and Tibetan, spanning disciplines such as paleography, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, ethics, linguistics, and history, and have become a leading force in the field of religious studies.
From the perspective of the origins of Buddhism, it spread southward and northward from India. Through the tireless efforts of compassionate monks, two major traditions emerged: the Northern Mahayana and the Southern Theravada. Today, with favorable conditions, these traditions continue to develop and have become part of the global Buddhist landscape, truly a once-in-a-thousand-year moment!
Therefore, it is heartening to see the publication of the Bibliotheca Buddhica Sinica by Lán Jífù of Taiwan, a 100-volume series introducing the achievements, methodologies, and tools of international Buddhist scholarship. This broad and valuable resource has greatly benefited Chinese academia in broadening its academic horizons and elevating the standards of Buddhist studies.
However, most of these works are modern and primarily in Japanese. With the passage of time, Buddhist studies in the West have advanced rapidly, with new findings and insights constantly emerging. Translating these latest contributions into Chinese to benefit scholars has become an urgent need.
Leveraging this opportunity, our temple has established the Juequn Translation Series, pooling wisdom and carefully selecting translations to introduce new works. Inspired by the ancient tradition of translating Sanskrit into Chinese, we adhere to the principles of accuracy, clarity, and elegance, aiming to benefit both lay and monastic practitioners alike.
While the essence of Buddhism lies in practice and realization, the teachings of Buddhist scriptures are always gateways to understanding the great matter of life and death. To interpret texts literally and separate theory from practice would merely cultivate intellectual knowledge, missing the true purpose of Buddhism. This applies to monastic enlightenment but not to the propagation of the Dharma in the secular world. Moreover, in this chaotic era, the spread of Buddhism relies on favorable conditions. Adapting to the times ensures its continued growth. Monks, after all, are part of the world and cannot exist in isolation!
If this translation series can serve as a catalyst, encouraging the study of ancient Chinese Buddhist scriptures and exploring the profound meanings of various schools, while also absorbing the strengths of Buddhist traditions worldwide and integrating modern international research, then "a stone from a distant mountain can correct the jade," as the saying goes. I firmly believe that China will produce even greater achievements in Buddhist studies, further enriching and promoting the Dharma. This is my aspiration, and I write this preface with heartfelt praise and admiration!