Chinese Buddhist apocrypha is not only an important form of the Sinicization of Buddhist thoughts, but also an indispensable procedure. The Lotus Sutra: Measuring the Sky and the Earth, which was considered to be recited by Buddhist Nun Fani in the Southern Dynasties, is the most typical apocrypha based on purv覾bhyasa(the habits of one’s previous life). The sutra now can only be found among the Dunhuang documents, and there are altogether 31 pieces. It mainly describes the philosophy proposition of "measuring the sky and the earth" as well as the mutual adaptation of Buddhism and Chinese traditional thoughts, and so it is important for studying the Sinicization of Buddhism. A deep research of this sutra can help us with a better understanding of the integration of Buddhist world outlook and Chinese ideal logy, the influence of the Lotus Sutra,and the won derful adaptation adopted by Buddhism when facing conflicts during the Southern and Northern Dynasties.
