Chinese Buddhist Apocrypha

• Book Title: Chinese Buddhist Apocrypha

• Author: Robert E. Buswell

• Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 1992

• ISBN: 9788170303411

• Pages: 352

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 9 x 6 inches

• Weight: 524 gm

Book Description

About the Book
Modern scholarship has uncovered that many of the Chinese Buddhist scriptures, previously believed to be translations of Indian texts, were in fact composed by Chinese authors. This revelation has led to the development of an exciting field of study, focusing on the indigenous scriptures of China. These apocryphal texts, which were once overlooked or misunderstood, are now being studied for their contribution to the development of Chinese Buddhism.

This field challenges the traditional view of the Buddhist canon as a fixed collection of texts, instead presenting it as a dynamic and evolving institution shaped by various social, political, ecclesiastical, and economic forces. The contributions in this volume shed light on the significance of these apocryphal texts, which were written in response to the changing needs of Chinese society. The book also explores how these texts have influenced the understanding and practice of Buddhism in China.

The contributors to this volume include notable scholars such as Stephen Bokenkamp, Ronald Davidson, Antonino Forte, Kotatsu Fujita, Paul Groner, Whalen Lai, Mark Lewis, Michel Strickmann, and Kyoko Tokuno. Their studies are broad-ranging, providing a comprehensive look at the development of Buddhist apocrypha in China.

Preface
The idea for this volume began in 1982 at the University of California, Berkeley, where scholars in Buddhist apocryphal studies came together to create a broad survey of the indigenous scriptural literature of Buddhism. Originally intended to include works on apocryphal texts from East Asia, Tibet, and Southeast Asia, the scope of the project was eventually narrowed down to focus on Chinese sutra materials.

Despite initial setbacks, the project found its way to the University of Hawaii Press in 1988, where it was finally published. The editor expresses deep regret that some contributors had to be omitted from the final collection, but thanks them for their patience. The volume benefitted from the careful critiques of Bernard Faure and Stephen Teiser, who helped refine the chapters and significantly improved the overall quality of the book.

This volume is an essential resource for anyone studying Chinese Buddhism, offering a new perspective on the development of the Buddhist canon and its apocryphal texts. It is a must-read for those interested in exploring the history and evolution of Buddhist scriptures and their impact on Buddhist practice and scholarship.