From India to China: Evolution of the Connotations of Extracanonical Buddhist Literature
This paper introduces the concept of “Extracanonical Buddhist Literature” and explores its origins and development in the two major Buddhist cultural spheres of India and China. It investigates the roles such texts played in religious practice, doctrinal interpretation, and cross-cultural transmissi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/572 |
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| author | Zhongyue Guan Siyao Wang |
| author_facet | Zhongyue Guan Siyao Wang |
| author_sort | Zhongyue Guan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper introduces the concept of “Extracanonical Buddhist Literature” and explores its origins and development in the two major Buddhist cultural spheres of India and China. It investigates the roles such texts played in religious practice, doctrinal interpretation, and cross-cultural transmission. In India, extracanonical texts frequently remained outside the official canon due to factors such as sectarian divisions and geographic constraints, reflecting ongoing debates and dialogues with non-Buddhist thought. In China, the formation of these texts was influenced by indigenous cultural integration, political pressures, and translation practices, highlighting a distinct trajectory of Buddhist localization. By analyzing the complementary relationship between these extracanonical works and canonical scriptures, this study demonstrates that these texts not only supplement the canonical system but also offer critical insights into the diversity of Buddhist thought and cultural exchange. Ultimately, they hold significant academic and cultural value, shedding light on how Buddhist ideas were disseminated and adapted across diverse regional contexts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a89135ace8c04a5ea1ceea7df376778c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-a89135ace8c04a5ea1ceea7df376778c2025-08-20T03:12:11ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-04-0116557210.3390/rel16050572From India to China: Evolution of the Connotations of Extracanonical Buddhist LiteratureZhongyue Guan0Siyao Wang1The History Department, College of Humanities, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaThe School of Humanities and Communication, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaThis paper introduces the concept of “Extracanonical Buddhist Literature” and explores its origins and development in the two major Buddhist cultural spheres of India and China. It investigates the roles such texts played in religious practice, doctrinal interpretation, and cross-cultural transmission. In India, extracanonical texts frequently remained outside the official canon due to factors such as sectarian divisions and geographic constraints, reflecting ongoing debates and dialogues with non-Buddhist thought. In China, the formation of these texts was influenced by indigenous cultural integration, political pressures, and translation practices, highlighting a distinct trajectory of Buddhist localization. By analyzing the complementary relationship between these extracanonical works and canonical scriptures, this study demonstrates that these texts not only supplement the canonical system but also offer critical insights into the diversity of Buddhist thought and cultural exchange. Ultimately, they hold significant academic and cultural value, shedding light on how Buddhist ideas were disseminated and adapted across diverse regional contexts.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/572Indian BuddhismChinese Buddhist Canonextracanonical Buddhist literature |
| spellingShingle | Zhongyue Guan Siyao Wang From India to China: Evolution of the Connotations of Extracanonical Buddhist Literature Religions Indian Buddhism Chinese Buddhist Canon extracanonical Buddhist literature |
| title | From India to China: Evolution of the Connotations of Extracanonical Buddhist Literature |
| title_full | From India to China: Evolution of the Connotations of Extracanonical Buddhist Literature |
| title_fullStr | From India to China: Evolution of the Connotations of Extracanonical Buddhist Literature |
| title_full_unstemmed | From India to China: Evolution of the Connotations of Extracanonical Buddhist Literature |
| title_short | From India to China: Evolution of the Connotations of Extracanonical Buddhist Literature |
| title_sort | from india to china evolution of the connotations of extracanonical buddhist literature |
| topic | Indian Buddhism Chinese Buddhist Canon extracanonical Buddhist literature |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/572 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zhongyueguan fromindiatochinaevolutionoftheconnotationsofextracanonicalbuddhistliterature AT siyaowang fromindiatochinaevolutionoftheconnotationsofextracanonicalbuddhistliterature |