Huayan University Network: The Teaching and Practice of Avatamsaka Buddhism in Twentieth-Century China

In the early twentieth century, Chinese Buddhists sought to strengthen their tradition through publications, institution building, and initiatives to raise the educational level of the monastic community. Erik J. Hammerstrom's The Huayan University Network examines how Huayan Buddhism was imagined, taught, and practiced during this time of profound political and social change, and how the university's graduates established educational programs throughout China. Hammerstrom shows that Huayan had a significant impact on Chinese Buddhist thought and practice and that the history of Huayan complicates narratives of twentieth-century Buddhist modernization and revival.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2020
Publisher: Columbia University Press

In the early 20th century, Chinese Buddhists embarked on a mission to reinforce and revitalize their tradition through a series of innovative strategies. They sought to strengthen their tradition through publications, institution building, and initiatives aimed at raising the educational level of the monastic community. This transformative era was marked by significant political and social change, and it was during this time that Huayan Buddhism emerged as a powerful force.

The Huayan University Network, a groundbreaking work by Erik J. Hammerstrom, delves into the intricate details of how Huayan Buddhism was imagined, taught, and practiced during this period of profound political and social transformation. Hammerstrom's study offers a fresh perspective on the history of 20th-century Chinese Buddhism, challenging prevailing narratives and illuminating the complexities of this influential movement.

Hammerstrom begins by tracing the influence of Huayan University, the first Buddhist monastic school founded after the fall of the imperial system in China. Although Huayan University lasted only a few years, its graduates went on to establish a number of Huayan-centered educational programs throughout China. While they did not create a new sectarian Huayan movement, they did form a network unified by a common educational heritage that persists to this day.

Drawing on an extensive range of Buddhist texts and periodicals, Hammerstrom demonstrates that Huayan had a significant impact on Chinese Buddhist thought and practice. He shows how Huayan's emphasis on the cultivation of compassion and the promotion of social justice resonated with the concerns of the Chinese people during this period of rapid change. Huayan's teachings also influenced the development of other Buddhist schools, such as Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, as they sought to adapt to the changing social and political landscape.

One of the key insights offered by Hammerstrom's book is that the history of Huayan complicates narratives of twentieth-century Buddhist modernization and revival. He challenges the notion that Huayan Buddhism was a conservative or backward-looking movement, instead presenting it as a dynamic and adaptable tradition that responded to the changing needs of the Chinese people. Hammerstrom's study sheds new light on an essential but often overlooked element of the East Asian Buddhist tradition, providing valuable insights into the teaching and practice of Huayan in Republican China.

In conclusion, The Huayan University Network is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the history of 20th-century Chinese Buddhism. Through his meticulous research and insightful analysis, Erik J. Hammerstrom has demonstrated the profound impact of Huayan Buddhism on Chinese Buddhist thought and practice. This book sheds new light on an essential but often overlooked element of the East Asian Buddhist tradition, providing valuable insights into the teaching and practice of Huayan in Republican China.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 149 x 223 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231194303