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Modern Buddhist studies have enjoyed a research history of more than a hundred years in Western and Japanese universities. Recently, Mainland China has also added valuable contributions to the field. In Taiwan, on the other hand, a considerable number of scholars are devoted to Buddhist-related studies, yet they lack collaboration and coalescence. In the light of this, Professor Heng-Ching Hsih and various professors of National Taiwan University established “The Center for Buddhist Studies” in 1995, and seeking to fulfill this need by promoting integrative and interdisciplinary research, and providing the means for efficient international academic exchange of information.
The objectives of the Center aim to aid those who study Buddhism by putting in touch experts and scholars at and outside the university for promoting in-depth inquiry into the specific properties, historical development, values, and modern interpretations of Buddhism.
In the same year, this scholarly databases “Buddhist Digital Library & Museum” also started running through the efforts of many. By taking the advantage of technology, the database commits itself to the promotion of the Buddhist studies by disseminating via the electronic medium in-depth information and writings generously contributed by dedicated and reputable scholars, researchers, academic institutes and Buddhist organizations worldwide. The Scholarly Databases currently holds over 100,000 bibliographies and provides over 2,600 full texts on various subjects for free access and download.
In October 1999, this database was renamed to “Digital Buddhist Library and Museum” and became a joint-project for Dharma Drum Mountain ( Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies ) and National Taiwan University (Center for Buddhist Studies) so that the content of the database and service area can expand even more. The joint project of the National Taiwan University and Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies "Digital Buddhist Library and Museum" is officially concluded on 31 March 2003.
The National Taiwan University Library takes over the responsibility of maintaining this site from 1 April 2003 onwards. Moreover, with the aim of emphasizing Buddhist Studies and creating an easier access for the users, we have decided to renamed this website to " Buddhist Digital Library and Museum " . |
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National Taiwan University Library – Dept. of Head, Systems & Automation
02-2363-4585
No.1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan 106
E-mail : buddha@ntu.edu.tw |
