This thesis mainly based on Hong Hui and Shang-Ying Zhang’s " The Lotus Sutra combined theory" is to study the Northern Song Dynasty Buddhist academic and cultural background, Hong Hui and Shang-Ying Zhang’s interpretation of the classic methods and characteristics, and to compare and to evaluate their insight. The thesis is divided into six chapters, each chapter is discussed below. The first chapter illustrates the motivation and purpose of the thesis, and describes " The Lotus Sutra combined theory" ‘s title, version, content structures and research methods which shows a remarkable outlines of each chapter. The second chapter discusses the Northern Song Dynasty Buddhist academic and cultural environment and Hong Hui and Shang-Ying Zhang’s theological innovation. Mainly to explore the Northern Song Dynasty generation, Buddhist academic and cultural features, including text Zen, as well as the Northern Song Dynasty shows the great integration spirit among Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Secondly, to explore Hong Hui and Shang-Ying Zhang’s theological innovation, including Hong Hui and Shang-Ying Zhang’s full investigation about their first name and last name, cultivation of Confucianism and Buddhism The third Chapter explains Hong Hui and Shang-Ying Zhang’s methods and characteristics of exegesis. Hong Hui interprets Zen, brief yet allusive , Shang-Ying Zhang states more brief yet direct. Both show brief integrated spirit. and unlike the previous generation commentator, they try to approach all the previous generation "Lotus Sutra" via hermeneutical process. Chapter Fourth explains Z Hong Hui and Shang-Ying Zhang’s ideas about . The Lotus Sutra. Theory devided into two parts: One explores Hui ‘s Buddha Thought, one Single Thought, one Single Mind and the Buddha body concept, the other one is about Shang-Ying Zhang’s concept about " The Lotus Sutra combined theory" and Buddha Thought as well as one Single Mind. Chapter Five states the Comparison via vs between Hong Hui and Shang-Ying Zhang’s " The Lotus Sutra combined theory" based on form, structures and concept. The evaluation investigate then the contemporary and later generations of scholars and righteous teaching profession monk. Chapter Sixth is an integration of conclusion based on the above ideas of each chapter.
