Buddhism in China: A Historical Survey

This is the most comprehensive book on the history of Buddhism in China still to date. Not only is the book scholarly but it's also very readable. The timeline of book focuses from the starts of Buddhism on the Silk Road to it's introduction in China and its history up to the present day. What makes this book unique is that it mentions Buddhism within even the most obscure dynasties and states of China. Another aspect of this book is that it covers not just the history of Chinese Buddhism but also its literature, sects, schools, politics, culture, social roles, and ongoing impact on Chinese society. Other invaluable features include occassional maps, a glossary, list of important figures, and a extensive bibliography.The only drawbacks this book has is that it's rather dated in regards to Buddhism in modern China. This book was published over 50 years ago but it hasn’t been revised or updated since then so the chapters on modern China are very outdated. A updated bibliography would of been nice too. Another flaw is that the book has no illustrations or photos besides the maps. When the book covers Buddhist art, it's hard to appreciate what the author is describing without at least a few visual aids. Despite it's small flaws, the utter usefulness and comprehensive detailing on the popular yet understudied topic of Chinsese Buddhism is what makes the book invaluable and priceless to students and scholars although general readers can get quite a handful of knowledge as well.

This is a great and useful survey of Buddhism in China. While there might be newer books, this one is one of the most comprehensive and the most useful for a student of Buddhism in China.

Though over 50 years old now, this is an unmatched historical survey of Buddhism's migration to China, how it took deep root in the nurturing soil of Taoism, and tended by Confucian formalism to profoundly shape Chinese culture. It was essential for my understanding of Shaolin and Chan (the original "Zen" philosophy). The author has an unmatched ability to integrate wide-ranging first person sources and obscure records into a fascinating and cohesive two thousand year narrative, one that is underreferenced and not understood in the West. My only reason for witholding one star is for the scant illustrations/charts/religious icons that would super useful to compliment the dense text, as well for the need for an update to more thoroughly cover the modern era, including the resurgence of Buddhist landmarks (though perhaps more for capitalist rather than religious rededication).

A stunningly good book. Kenneth Chen's grasp on the history of Buddhism in China is impressive. This is one of the main books I found on that subject, and I highly recommend it.A scholar's book, but don't let that stop you if you find the topic of interest.

This historical survey begins with the Han Dynasty, on to the glorious Tang Dynasty, a steady decline to the Sung Dynasty and the final Ching Dynasty. This book was published in 1964 before the Chinese Cultural Revolution of the late 1960's. Many Buddhist sites were destroyed and the Chinese Buddhist Association abolished. An update is required. The author,however, has a gift for the sweep of history and explains the surviving Chinese Buddhist schools. There is balance between erudition and smooth flowing prose for serious beginners and advanced students. The bibliography is 44 pages with Chinese characters. No maps and illustrations.

I checked this book out from the library on a whim and I've been very pleasantly surprised. Professor Chen offers a highly readable account of historical buddhism in China and does a fine job introducing the most important figures and schools. This book will be of interest to anyone who would like to learn how buddhism developed in China and how it both influenced and received the influence of the other important Chinese philosophies, especially Daoism and Confucianism. I haven't finished it yet but I can already offer my almost unconditional recommendation. There are a few minor drawbacks of note:1) he wrote the book in 1964 and this is the 1973 printing. The historical information is still valid, as far aas I know, but unfortunately romanization has passed him by--the book uses the now largely defunct Wade-Giles romanization system.2) More maps would be helpful, especially since early dynastic kingdoms played such an important role in the integration of Buddhism into Chinese culture.3) thankfully, he does provide the Chinese characters for the Chinese language sources, but these are buried in an appendix and it is distracting flipping back and forth. It would be far more user-friendly if he would provide this information in the text, or at least in a footnote, for the first time he cites it.But these are minor complaints--I have truly enjoyed reading this and urge any others interested int his topic to dot he same. I will definitely read his other book: The Chinese Transformation of Buddhism.

excellent.

exactly what i needed. i would order from this website again. the book is as good as new. i recommend it.