Fa Yuan Chu Lin (法苑珠林)has long been the major source of materials for those who compile lost books. The real intention of Fa Yuan Chu Lin is to safeguard Buddhism through the compilation of "glossary" books. It also implies the profound meaning of harmonizing the Chinese and Indian cultures. Therefore,in the book the Buddhist stories were classified according to their categories in order to facilitate readers' reading and checking. Besides, it also quoted over 100 non- Buddhist books by following the custom that making quotation in "glossary" books should have its source.
Fa Yuan Chu Lin made many quotations from non-Buddhist books. Some of these books are lost and some incomplete today. Therefore,the materials of Fa Yuan Chu Lin are quite valuable and much emphasized by the scholars who undertake the compilation of lost books. For example,Chou Shu-Jen took many relevant materials from Fa Yuan Chu Lin in compiling Ku Hsiao Sou Ko Chuen (古小說鉤沉)or modern edition of Shou Shen Ki (搜神記),Shou Shen Hou Ki (搜神後記),Yi Yuan(異苑),etc. But because some scholars lack understanding of the process of monk Tao hsih's compiling Fa Yuan Chu Lin,a lot of problems exist. If we don't clarify the problems, the result of compiling lost books will be affected.
This paper intends to examine the details of how monk Tao Hsih quoted non-Buddhist books. The job is done through three steps:the detailed table of the contents, the clarification of doubts and the ways of the quoted books.