Dear Friends of the Center for Buddhist Studies,
We are pleased to share a call for submissions for the Special Issue of Religions, titled "Shaping Sacred Knowledge: The Transmission and Legacy of the Chinese Buddhist Canon." Dr. Jiang Wu, our Center's director, along with Dr. Darui Long and Dr. Zhuoyuan Li, the editors of our Chinese Buddhist Canon Research Newsletter, will serve as guest editors for this issue.
Special Issue Information
The Chinese Buddhist Canon forms the very foundation of Chinese Buddhism. Nearly all Chinese Buddhist texts are housed within this monumental canon, which has served as the cornerstone of religious practice and scholarship for centuries. In the late 10th century, in the region of Sichuan, China, the first complete edition of the Chinese Buddhist Canon was assembled—a monumental achievement that gathered the core texts of the Buddhist tradition. Over the centuries, new editions were compiled across different regions and periods, reflecting the evolving spiritual, social, and intellectual landscapes of their times. Today, we recognize over a dozen editions of the Chinese Buddhist Canon, each representing a vast archive of Buddhist literature. However, these canons are not static; their frameworks, contents, and significance have continuously adapted to changing contexts.
More than a mere collection of sacred texts, the Chinese Buddhist Canon is a living testament to the deep interplay between faith, culture, and history. It functions not only as a repository of religious doctrine but also as a conduit that connects Buddhist spirituality to the broader currents of secular life. The study of the genealogical transmission of these canons offers a rare window into the dynamic development of East Asian Buddhism and provides critical insights into the intersection of religion and society.
This Special Issue invites scholars from diverse fields to contribute their perspectives on the transmission and transformation of the Chinese Buddhist Canon. By examining how these texts have been transmitted, adapted, and reinterpreted across time and space, we hope to illuminate the broader cultural, intellectual, and material influences that shaped their evolution. This multidisciplinary approach promises to deepen our understanding of religious transmission and its ongoing impact on both Buddhist practice and the wider East Asian cultural sphere.
We encourage submissions of original research articles and comprehensive reviews on topics including but not limited to the following:
- Digital analyses of Buddhist canon texts;
- Comparative studies on the relationships and differences between various canons;
- The interaction between Buddhist canons and non-religious social strata;
- The evolution of the material formats of Buddhist canons;
- The role of the canon in shaping Buddhist belief systems and practices.
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025
Please click on the following link for full information on the Special Issue: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/religions/special_issues/15590RR3Z8