This paper adapts the "man"-oriented historical discourses of Marc Bloch (France，1886-1944)，Edward H. Carr (Britain，1892-1982)，and Mu Qian (China, 1895-1990) to a theoretical framework useful in examining the life of Shi [Shih] Yinshun (China, 1906)，his concept of "humanistic Buddhism/human-realm Buddhism" (renjian fojiao)，and its origins. Furthermore，I discuss the interrelationships of the individual and his/her thoughts, history，and religion. At the same time，I discuss different viewpoints in historical studies of Taiwanese Buddhism rooted in the tradition of humanistic Buddhism，and conclude with an effort to engage new approaches to Buddhist academic research.
