Taixu's history of the Chan tradition, contained in his larger work Zhongguo foxue, represents an... more Taixu's history of the Chan tradition, contained in his larger work Zhongguo foxue, represents an important emic understanding of the Chan tradition from the perspective of a well-educated Chinese Buddhist monk in the early 1940s. This article argues that Taixu's work implicitly engages with conceptions of the Chan tradition previously published by Hu Shih, such as the various stages of the Chan practitioner, to present an alternative conception of Chan to intellectuals.
The Chinese Buddhist monk Taixu 太虛 (1890–1947) has been called a reformer, missionary, modernizer... more The Chinese Buddhist monk Taixu 太虛 (1890–1947) has been called a reformer, missionary, modernizer, mystic, failure, visionary, ethical pietist, public intellectual, great religious leader, and media personality. He is best known as the modernizer of Chinese Buddhism and the creator of Humanistic Buddhism, which emphasizes rational knowledge and ethical behavior. Taixu devoted his life to two activities: spreading Buddhism throughout society and reforming Buddhist monastic and lay institutions. A dynamic between reform and propagation is evident in all of his projects, including Humanistic Buddhism, establishing a pure land in the human realm, his Maitreya School, and his Buddhist academies. Although these projects are all “modern” in important ways, they represent Taixu’s vision for the continuity of Buddhism’s rich heritage as China moved beyond its imperial past.
Venerable Taixu (1890–1947) is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the mo... more Venerable Taixu (1890–1947) is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the modernization of Chinese Buddhism. The present article is a historical analysis of his early years, looking at his childhood, renunciation, Buddhist education, first religious experience, interest in political thought, and early efforts to establish a national Buddhist association. These events, occurring during his first twenty-four years, represent a seminal period in his life. Although this represented a time of idealism during which Taixu’s ideas were in their earliest stages, the commitments that he formed would endure throughout his life.
Taixu's history of the Chan tradition, contained in his larger work Zhongguo foxue, represents an... more Taixu's history of the Chan tradition, contained in his larger work Zhongguo foxue, represents an important emic understanding of the Chan tradition from the perspective of a well-educated Chinese Buddhist monk in the early 1940s. This article argues that Taixu's work implicitly engages with conceptions of the Chan tradition previously published by Hu Shih, such as the various stages of the Chan practitioner, to present an alternative conception of Chan to intellectuals.
The Chinese Buddhist monk Taixu 太虛 (1890–1947) has been called a reformer, missionary, modernizer... more The Chinese Buddhist monk Taixu 太虛 (1890–1947) has been called a reformer, missionary, modernizer, mystic, failure, visionary, ethical pietist, public intellectual, great religious leader, and media personality. He is best known as the modernizer of Chinese Buddhism and the creator of Humanistic Buddhism, which emphasizes rational knowledge and ethical behavior. Taixu devoted his life to two activities: spreading Buddhism throughout society and reforming Buddhist monastic and lay institutions. A dynamic between reform and propagation is evident in all of his projects, including Humanistic Buddhism, establishing a pure land in the human realm, his Maitreya School, and his Buddhist academies. Although these projects are all “modern” in important ways, they represent Taixu’s vision for the continuity of Buddhism’s rich heritage as China moved beyond its imperial past.
Venerable Taixu (1890–1947) is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the mo... more Venerable Taixu (1890–1947) is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the modernization of Chinese Buddhism. The present article is a historical analysis of his early years, looking at his childhood, renunciation, Buddhist education, first religious experience, interest in political thought, and early efforts to establish a national Buddhist association. These events, occurring during his first twenty-four years, represent a seminal period in his life. Although this represented a time of idealism during which Taixu’s ideas were in their earliest stages, the commitments that he formed would endure throughout his life.
Uploads
Papers by Eric Goodell