Buddhism in Chinese History
by Arthur F. Wright
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Description
One of the great themes in the history of Eastern Asia is the transformation of Chinese culture by Buddhism. This process can be traced across nearly two millennia and can be seen at work in almost every aspect of Chinese life and thought. This study was undertaken with the object of showing how Buddhism has influenced Chinese culture, and in the hope that it may provide some insight into the role of the religion as a carrier of elements from one great civilization into another. It also show more deals with the interesting question of the nature of Buddhism as a world religion, and of the ways in which it resembles or differs from the other great faiths. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I cannot see this book as a satisfactory survey of Buddhism in China. First off, it's very vague. Often the author makes sweeping comments about Chinese culture, the role of Buddhism, Confucianism etc without adequately backing them up. Secondly, it's dated: the copyright of 1959 says it all. In fact, about half of the sources cited are French books and articles written on China in the '50s. The last chapter on Modern China is especially anachronistic, where the author posits the impossibility of a Buddhist revival in China (p. 122), something, I would think be proven wrong by today's developments.
Easy to read framework for thinking about its topic in more depth; it doesn't provide that depth, of course. But the framework is valuable.
This book should be of great interest to students of Chinese history, of religion, and of cultural interaction. It is a good introduction towards a genuine history of Chinese Buddhism.
Good balanced survey of the whole history of Buddhism in China from the Han through the Ching.
KINESKI BUDIZAM, POVIJEST
read for school.
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Author Information
11 Works 470 Members
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1959
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, History, General Nonfiction, Philosophy
- DDC/MDS
- 294.320951 — Religion Other religions Dharmic religions Buddhism Buddhism of the north
- LCC
- BL1430 .W7 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Religions. Mythology. Rationalism Religions. Mythology. Rationalism History and principles of religions Asian. Oriental By religion
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 250
- Popularity
- 130,163
- Reviews
- 11
- Rating
- (3.33)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 6
- ASINs
- 3
