Author Affiliations: Numata Center for Buddhist Studies, University of Hamburg
關鍵詞
Transmission; contemporary; Chinese Buddhism; Germany; image; expectations; adaptation
摘要
While Buddhist traditions from China have attracted European scholars since the early nineteenth century, Chinese Buddhist practices have not influenced religious life in Europe outside of academic studies. This paper explores why Chinese Buddhism has not resonated in Europe to the same extent as Japanese, Tibetan and Southeast Asian Buddhism. This analysis looks to Germany as one of the biggest European countries with a long history of Buddhism. First, it considers existing institutional structures of Buddhism in Germany. Secondly, it examines the images of Chinese Buddhism within the context of soteriological expectations in German society. Thirdly, it reflects on the context of institutional Buddhism in China and its influence on the transmission of Chinese Buddhism to Germany. Based on these analyses, this paper shows that Chinese Buddhism faced various challenges during its transmission into European society. Despite these challenges, the widely admired traditions, contemporary pluralistic dynamics, and openness to international adaptability also creates growing potential for Chinese Buddhism’s acceptance in Europe.
目次
I. Buddhism in Europe and the Attractiveness of Chinese Buddhism 322 II. Current State of Chinese Buddhism in Germany/Europe: General Image and Possible Expectations from a German Audience 325 II.1 Prominent Existent Chinese Buddhist Institutions in Germany 325 II.2 General Image of Chinese Buddhism in Germany 329 II.3 Possible Expectations from a German Audience 332 III. Institutional Context in China and the Ritual and Spiritual Contents to be Offered by Chinese Buddhists 333 IV. Preliminary Conclusion of the Largest Challenges and Opportunities for Potential Adaptation and Growing Acceptance of Chinese Buddhism in Europe 337
