評介江燦騰主編《跨世紀的新透視：臺灣新竹市300年佛教文化史導論》=Master Yin Shun and Buddhism in Hsinchu City: A Commentary on “Cross-Century New Perspective: Introduction to the 300-Year History of Buddhist Culture in Hsinchu City, Taiwan” Edited by Jiang Tsan-Teng
The connection between Master Yin Shun and Buddhism in Taiwan should start from Buddhism in Hsinchu City. His humanistic Buddhist thinking has a deep influence on all Buddhism in Taiwan as it is the peak of the Buddhist thinking in Taiwan. The book, “CrossCentury New Perspective: Introduction to the 300-Year History of Buddhist Culture in Hsinchu City, Taiwan,” edited by Jiang TsanTeng, attempts to construct the three-hundred-year history of the Buddhist culture in Hsinchu City and links the development of the Buddhist culture through the influence of Master Yin Shun. As a pioneering work in the history of the Buddhist culture in a city, it is a book catering to both the academia and the public. Like a history story book or a Buddhist story book, it also includes the precious and rare classic historic photos. This paper makes a commentary in terms of “literature review,” “subject and framework of the book,” “research characteristics of the book” include: (1) Highlight the link between Master Yin Shun and Buddhism in Hsinchu, (2) Cover the levels of the Buddhist culture, art, architecture, and education, (3) Articulate the trend of Buddhism in Taiwan from the traditional nuns to the modern nuns. As for the "flaws" of the book, the paper also makes the following two comments: (a) Unable to take into account a majority of important temples, (b) Neglectful of discussing the Buddhist fine arts, Buddhist literature, and Buddhist studies. However, these flaws do not obscure the overall value of the book.
