The aim of this study is to introduce Zhu Hong's (1535-1615) Answer on the Forty-Eight Doubts of Pure Land. It is a short but exquisite treatise by Xuang Cang, X61, no.1158. Zhu became widely known as Master Lianchi in the late Ming dynasty. Zhu's answers to each of the forty-eight questions asked by one of his disciples, Deyuan (Yu Zhunxi), are clear and brief. Generally speaking, Answer on the Forty-Eight Doubts of Pure Land is about the situation and problems that Buddhism faced during that period and clarification of these problems. Through the classification and analysis of Zhu's short treatise, this study seeks to understand the direction of his Pure Land teaching and theory, especially Pure Land, Chan and Huayen thought. The study further explores Zhu's integration of Pure Land and Chan and how he promoted the integration of nianfo (chanting the name of Buddha) with meditation. It also looks at whether the integration of nianfo and meditation influenced modern human Pure Land thought and humanistic Buddhism. In fact, Pure Land thought has been the main stream of thought in Buddhism since the Ming dynasty, and it has been especially popular in modern times. The author believes that this may be because its methods of practice and ideology are simple and easy to understand. This study looks at how Pure Land thought has been integrated with meditation since the Ming dynasty and how Zhu actively promoted it in Buddhism. In addition, this study explores the relationship between Zhu and Deyuan, the editor of Answer on the Forty-Eight Doubts of Pure Land. Both were Buddhist leaders in southeastern China. Deyuan was a student skillful at asking questions, and Zhu was the excellent teacher able to answer his questions. This study comprises five chapters. Chapter One outlines the motives, objectives, problem awareness, scope and methodology of this study as well as the review of relevant literature. Chapter Two describes the lives of Zhu and his disciple Deyuan. Chapter Three explains and analyzes Answer on the Forty-Eight Doubts of Pure Land as well as Zhu's teaching and practice based on these forty-eight items. Chapter Four discusses the relationship of Answer on the Forty-Eight Doubts of Pure Land to the practice of Chan and Pure Land Buddhism. Chapter Five is the conclusion.
