The Evolution of Chinese Buddhist Knowledge Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Knowledge represents humanity’s accumulated understanding of itself and the world. A knowledge system constitutes an organized framework of knowledge, structured through classification and logical coherence. It defines the boundaries of inquiry: what is studied, what questions are asked, and what truths are accepted. Every culture develops its own knowledge system, shaped by its unique historical, political, economic, and intellectual conditions, serving as a lens through which it interprets existence.

The Buddhist knowledge system embodies Buddhism’s structured, systematic understanding of reality. It comprises two dimensions: "knowledge of the Dharma" and "knowledge of the teachings". The former constitutes the Dharma system and Buddhist thought, including the translation, annotation, interpretation, and elaboration of fundamental Buddhist doctrines. The latter refers to the historical knowledge formed during the establishment and development of Chinese Buddhism, which can at least be further divided into the following: (1) Knowledge about monastic systems, including accounts of monastic figures, monastic regulations, pure rules, sacred sites histories, etc. (2) Knowledge about devotional practices, including faith in Buddhas and bodhisattvas, patriarchal veneration, Pure Land concepts, liberation concepts, Buddhist practices and rituals, etc. (3) Knowledge about Dharma Protection (hufa 护法), including views on the Three Teachings (sanjiao 三教), royal authority, and monastic-lay relations.

Buddhism’s transmission to China triggered an intellectual revolution. Through centuries of dialog with indigenous traditions, Chinese thinkers reinterpreted Buddhist teachings, culminating in a distinct Chinese Buddhist knowledge system distinct from its Indian counterpart. The gradual establishment of this system also marked the sinicization of Buddhism.

This Special Issue seeks to systematically explore the evolution of the Chinese Buddhist knowledge system. In the history of Chinese Buddhist literature, certain texts are dedicated to the compilation and classification of Buddhist knowledge in specific or all domains, serving as the primary carriers of Buddhist knowledge. These texts take forms such as Buddhist catalogs (jinglu 经录), classified books (leishu 类书), scripture essentials (jingyao 经要), thematic anthologies (zuanji 纂集), phonetic–semantic glossaries (yinyi 音义), exegesis lexicons (yizhang 义章), annals of patriarchs biographies (zuzhuan 祖传), lineage records (zongpu 宗谱), lamp records of Chan Buddhism (denglu 灯录,), biographies of monks (sengzhuan 僧传), and modern Buddhist lexicons and encyclopedias. The emergence, flourishing, decline, and revival of these works in Chinese Buddhist history reflect the dynamic process—whether conscious or unconscious—through which Chinese Buddhist scholars have constructed their own knowledge systems. We encourage scholars to examine the intrinsic connections between such texts and the evolution of China's knowledge systems.

This Special Issue welcomes original research papers and reviews, including (but not limited to) the following topics:

• General investigations of the Chinese Buddhist knowledge system;
• Comparative studies of Chinese and Indian Buddhist knowledge systems;
• The meet and integration of Buddhist knowledge with Chinese traditional knowledge systems, such as Confucianism and Daoism;
• Classified books, scripture essentials, and encyclopedias and the Buddhist knowledge system;
• Phonetic–semantic glossaries, exegesis lexicons, and the Buddhist knowledge system;
• Buddhist catalogs, canon collections (zangjing 藏经), and the Buddhist knowledge system;
• Biographies of monks, lineage records, and lamp records of Chan Buddhism and the Buddhist knowledge system.

In this Special Issue, we aim to foster scholarly reflection on the construction of the Chinese Buddhist knowledge system, and how Buddhist knowledge both transformed and was transformed by Chinese civilization.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor, or to the Assistant Editor of Religions, Moira Li (moira.li@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Wenli Fan
Prof. Dr. Kai Sheng
Guest Editors

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• Chinese Buddshit knowledge system
• classified knowledge
• knowledge of Buddha dharma
• knowledge about the Buddhist monastic system
• knowledge about the Buddhist faith
• knowledge about monastic–lay relations
• Confucian and Daoist knowledge systems