Chinese Buddhism: Historical, Descriptive, and Critical

Introduction — Explains why Buddhism deserves examination and introduces earlier European research on Buddhist texts and Sanskrit manuscripts. Chapter I. Life of Shakyamuni till His Appearance at Benares as a Teacher — Covers previous lives, chronology, birth, early life, renunciation, enlightenment, and first preaching. Chapter II. Life of Buddha from His Appearance as a Teacher at Benares to the Conversion of Rahula — Presents the Four Truths, early disciples, monastic beginnings, and conversion narratives. Chapter III. From the Commencement of Rahula’s Religious Life till the Near Approach of the Nirvana — Discusses monastic rules, teaching activity, miracles, protectors of Buddhism, and late ministry. Chapter IV. Last Discourses and Death of Buddha — Describes final teachings, journey to Kuśinagara, death, cremation, relics, and pagodas. Chapter V. The Patriarchs of the Northern Buddhists — Presents the succession of patriarchs from Kāśyapa and Ānanda to later figures, including Bodhidharma. Chapter VI. Sketch of the History of Buddhism in China — Surveys the arrival, translation, imperial support, decline, revival, and controversies of Buddhism in China. Chapter VII. The Schools of Chinese Buddhism — Describes major Chinese Buddhist schools, including contemplative, esoteric, Pure Land, and scholastic traditions. Chapter VIII. On Chi-k’ai and the T’ien-t’ai School of Buddhism — Introduces Chi-k’ai, T’ien-t’ai doctrine, meditation, discipline, and institutional organization. Chapter IX. The Buddhist Moral System — Discusses virtues, prohibitions, compassion, karma, transmigration, heaven, hell, judgment, and Nirvāṇa. Chapter X. The Buddhist Calendar — Presents Buddhist festivals, birth observances, seasonal rites, and calendar reforms. Chapter XI. Relation of Buddhism to the Older Hindoo Mythology — Explores Buddhist adaptation of Brahmanical gods, devas, yakṣas, nāgas, and mythological categories. Chapter XII. The Buddhist Universe — Explains Buddhist cosmology, kalpas, worlds, heavens, hells, and cosmic cycles. Chapter XIII. The Extended Universe of the Northern Buddhists — Discusses Mahāyāna cosmology, bodhisattvas, expanded worlds, and celestial Buddhas. Chapter XIV. Buddhist Images and Image-Worship — Describes temples, halls, icons, Buddhas, bodhisattvas, arhats, guardians, and image devotion. Chapter XV. Monasteries at P’u-to — Studies monastic life and Buddhist institutions at P’u-to, especially connected with Kwan-yin. Chapter XVI. Buddhist Processions, Associations, Pilgrimages, and Ceremonies for the Dead — Covers lay associations, ancestral rites, village processions, and rituals for deceased souls. Chapter XVII. Buddhist Literature — Surveys Chinese Buddhist libraries, sūtras, translations, Mahāyāna texts, catalogues, and translation history. Chapter XVIII. The Leng-yen-king—First Chapter — Introduces and analyzes the opening chapter of the Śūraṅgama Sūtra. Chapter XIX. The Ekashloka Shastra — Provides translation, analysis, and notes on the Ekashloka Shastra. Chapter XX. Effect of Buddhism on the Philosophy of the Sung Dynasty — Examines Buddhist influence on Neo-Confucian philosophical development. Chapter XXI. Feng-shui, or the Wind and Water Superstition of the Chinese — Discusses geomancy, cosmology, Buddhist influence, and Chinese popular belief. Chapter XXII. Buddhist Phraseology in Relation to Christian Teaching — Compares Buddhist terms with Christian doctrinal vocabulary and missionary translation issues. Chapter XXIII. Notice of the Wu-wei-kiau, a Reformed Buddhist Sect — Presents a reformed Buddhist movement, its founder, history, and doctrines. Chapter XXIV. Buddhism and Tauism in Their Popular Aspects — Compares Buddhist and Taoist ritual, popular deities, prayers, death rites, and religious syncretism. Chapter XXV. On the Use of Sanskrit by the Chinese Buddhists — Discusses Sanskrit transliteration, translation practices, pronunciation, and Buddhist linguistic transmission. Chapter XXVI. Books and Papers That May Be Consulted for the Study of Chinese Buddhism — Lists reference works and sources for further study.