Chinese Buddhist Apocrypha

Chinese Buddhist Apocrypha examines the creation and role of indigenous Buddhist texts in East Asia that were presented as translations of Indian scriptures. The volume contains essays by multiple scholars analyzing specific apocryphal texts and their impact on Chinese Buddhist doctrine and practice. The book investigates how Chinese Buddhists developed new scriptures that addressed local concerns while maintaining the authority of the Indian Buddhist tradition. It tracks the methods used to compose, authenticate, and disseminate these texts across different time periods and regions. The collection covers topics including the T'ien-t'ai school's use of apocryphal texts, the development of Buddhist meditation manuals, and the relationship between political power and religious legitimacy in medieval China. The work presents archaeological evidence and historical documents to establish the context of these writings. This scholarly compilation demonstrates how religious traditions adapt and evolve through the creative interpretation of canonical sources. The examination of Chinese Buddhist apocrypha provides insights into the dynamic processes of cultural translation and religious transformation.

Readers note this book offers research papers examining questionable or falsely attributed Buddhist texts from China. The collection focuses on how and why these apocryphal texts were created. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of text authentication methods - The historical context provided for each examined text - The scholarly but readable writing style Common criticisms: - Dense academic language - Limited scope focuses only on select texts - High level of assumed background knowledge From review sites: Goodreads: 4.33/5 (6 ratings, 0 written reviews) Amazon: No ratings available Google Books: No ratings available A reader on Academia.edu praised the "thorough analysis of textual origins," while another on JSTOR noted it was "primarily suited for graduate students and specialists." The small number of public reviews likely reflects the book's academic nature and specialized subject matter.

Spreading Buddha's Word in East Asia by Jiang Wu and Lucille Chia A study of how Buddhist texts were translated, copied, and disseminated throughout medieval East Asia.

Buddhist Scriptures as Literature by Ralph Flores An examination of the literary elements and narrative techniques in Buddhist texts across different traditions.

The Formation of Ch'an Ideology in China and Korea by Robert E. Buswell Jr. A historical analysis of how indigenous East Asian Buddhist thought developed through textual interpretation and modification.

Religions of China in Practice by Donald S. Lopez Jr. A collection of translated primary sources showing the interaction between Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian traditions in Chinese religious texts.

Scripture, Canon and Commentary by Charles Muller A technical study of how Buddhist commentarial traditions shaped the development of East Asian religious thought and practice.

🏵️ The term "apocrypha" in Chinese Buddhism refers to texts composed in China that were deliberately presented as translations of Indian Buddhist sutras, even though they were actually created by Chinese authors. 🏵️ Robert E. Buswell Jr. spent five years as a Buddhist monk in South Korea, giving him unique insights into East Asian Buddhist practices and traditions that informed his academic work. 🏵️ Many Chinese Buddhist apocryphal texts were so well-crafted that they remained undetected as local compositions for centuries, and some even made their way back to India as "translations." 🏵️ The creation of Buddhist apocryphal texts in China often served to adapt Buddhist teachings to Chinese cultural sensibilities, particularly incorporating Confucian and Taoist concepts. 🏵️ The book challenges the traditional view that apocryphal texts were merely fraudulent works, showing instead how they were crucial in the development of a distinctly Chinese form of Buddhism.