Selected Works of Nan Huaijin: Volume 5. Zen Sea Measured, Zen Talks, A Brief History of the Development of Buddhism in China, A Brief History of the Development of Taoism in China

Author: Nan Huaijin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: Zen Buddhism, which originated in Northern Wei and flourished during the Tang and Song dynasties, has a unique theoretical system and practice style that has profoundly influenced people's values, emotions, and ways of thinking. To a certain extent, without understanding Zen Buddhism, one cannot truly grasp the essence of Chinese Buddhism or the ideological connotations of countless cultural and artistic works passed down over the centuries. This book is a study of Zen Buddhism written by the renowned scholar Nan Huaijin. Through a vertical narrative and horizontal comparison, the author discusses the evolution, purpose, transmission, and practical cultivation of Zen Buddhism, as well as its differences from Pure Land Buddhism, Esoteric Buddhism, Daoist alchemy, Neo-Confucianism, and Western philosophy. The book presents many original insights. Zen Buddhism is one of the major sects of Chinese Buddhism, with its unique attitudes toward life, values, aesthetic tastes, and ways of thinking, having had an extremely profound and widespread influence on people from all walks of life in ancient society, especially the scholar-official class, forging an inseparable bond with the history of Chinese thought and culture. Studying the formation, development, and evolution of Zen Buddhism, and exploring its characteristics in different periods, has become a major topic in academic research. This book, written by the renowned scholar Nan Huaijin, introduces the figures and historical events of early Zen Buddhism. It is easy to understand, concise, and very suitable for beginners.
Buddhism originated in India. Since its introduction to China at the end of the Han Dynasty, it has taken root, flourished, developed, and evolved, becoming an indispensable part of Chinese culture and history. This book, originally titled A Brief Overview of the Development of Buddhism in China, is a history of Buddhism written by the renowned scholar Nan Huaijin. It is divided into five chapters, providing a concise account of ancient Indian society and religion, the life and deeds of the Buddha Shakyamuni, the rise and fall of Buddhism from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, the current state and reflections on Buddhism in China in the 20th century, and an overview of Buddhism in various countries in Asia and the West. At the end of the book is the article The Monastic System of Zen Buddhism and Chinese Society, which is an important study of the origins, content, and social impact of the Buddhist monastic system, and is highly valuable.
Daoism, with its philosophical origins in pre-Qin Daoism, gradually developed by absorbing and integrating other theories and practices, has become a native religion of China. Over its long history, it has had a broad influence on ancient politics, economy, philosophy, literature, astronomy, calendar calculation, medicine, geography, physics, chemistry, folk customs, and art, becoming one of the mainstreams of Chinese culture. This book, written by the renowned scholar Nan Huaijin, is a history of Daoism. It is divided into eight chapters, providing a concise and systematic account of the academic origins of Daoism, its establishment, growth, expansion, and evolution, its schools, figures, and scriptures, the relationship between emperors and Daoism, and the current state of Daoist studies. The book also includes Daoist references and an introduction to the Daozang, which can be used for reference.