China Buddhist Encyclopedia (Classics Volume)

Author: Chen Shiqiang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-12-01
Features: The Buddhist teachings are vast, numbering eighty-four thousand methods; the scriptures are extensive, comprising the Three Baskets and Twelve Sections. 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 learning about 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 new era of spiritual civilization? All these questions, the "Encyclopedia of Chinese Buddhism" attempts to make its best efforts to address.
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, categorization, translators, basic ideas, and their status 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, ideological implications, and philosophical connotations of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism, giving readers a comprehensive and clear understanding of Buddhist doctrines.
Buddhism has a long history and numerous sects. The "History Volume" systematicallys and analyzes the historical development of Buddhism in China, along with its social and historical foundations and cultural background, presenting a clear and 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 Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties to the four major sects of Buddhism, showcasing the splendor of the flourishing Buddhist academy of the Sui and Tang dynasties.
Chinese Buddhism has produced generations of eminent monks since the Han and Wei dynasties. The "Figures Volume" reports on the lives, thoughts, translations, and moral conduct of famous monks in Chinese Buddhist history, offering both objective and detailed accounts that reflect the historical landscape of its development.
The institutional and ritual practices of Chinese Buddhism have some roots in Indian Buddhism but also exhibit distinctive Chinese characteristics. The saying "Ma Zu founded monasteries, and Bai Zhang established rules" illustrates that the monastic institutions and rituals of Chinese Buddhism were largely created by Chinese monks. The "Rituals Volume" provides a detailed introduction and critique of Buddhist monasteries, temple structures, clergy systems, festivals, and even arhats and heavenly beings, 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 Zen with traditional poetry, calligraphy, and painting, which evolved into Zen poetry and Zen painting. The "Poetry and Verses Volume" selects nearly two hundred poems and verses, deeply analyzing their literary charm while highlighting the Zen philosophy embedded within them. Through comparative analysis, it explores the mutual permeation and influence between Zen and ancient Chinese poetry, demonstrating that, as the ancients said, "One cannot truly understand poetry without understanding Zen."
The "Painting and Calligraphy Volume" adopts a combination of case studies and historical narration to reveal the interrelationship between Zen philosophy and ancient Chinese painting and calligraphy. On one hand, monks and Zen masters often engaged in painting and calligraphy; on the other hand, painters and calligraphers frequently delved into Buddhism. Zen philosophy is deeply integrated into these art forms, and the art world is filled with Zen 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 architecture and sculpture, 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 full picture of Chinese Buddhist sculpture. The "Architecture Volume" offers a comprehensive and even highly professional introduction and critique of the historical development of Buddhist architecture, the layouts of Buddhist monasteries of different sects, the structures of various Buddhist halls, and even typical Buddhist structures like temple towers and scripture pillars, providing valuable insights not only for understanding historical Buddhist architecture but also for future temple and hall construction.
China has long had 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, covering their geographical locations, cultural landscapes, founding monks and sect characteristics, historical evolution, and current scale, offering both a panoramic view of China's famous mountains and temples and a glimpse 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 cases, and both religious insights and cultural value.
In the compilers' subjective aspirations, 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' limitations in knowledge and insight, errors and biases are inevitable. All of this awaits correction and guidance from the wise and learned.
Lai Yonghai