Chinese Buddhism (Annotated) #598770

• This edition includes the following editor's analysis: Buddhism, religion and/or philosophy?

First published in 1879, “Chinese Buddhism” is a comprehensive survey of Chinese Buddhism by British Protestant missionary Joseph Edkins. “Chinese Buddhism” is a valuable reference work for anyone studying Chinese Buddhism, as well as a snapshot of China in the late 19th century.

Edkins gives the historical background of the introduction of Buddhism into China, and its subsequent evolution, including biographies of the Buddhist Patriarchs. There are extensive descriptions of Chinese Buddhist geography and cosmology, the calendar of festivals, temple architecture, and the vast array of entities which are represented in sacred spaces.
Edkins also enumerates dozens of Chinese Buddhist and provides translations of some excerpts. Edkins was a skilled linguist and explains how Sanskrit terms were transferred into Chinese. He also discusses Confucian, Taoist and other Chinese belief systems.

Joseph Edkins was a Protestant missionary, and his primary concern at times appears to be how to convert Chinese Buddhists.