(Chu) Tao-sheng stands out in history as a unique and preeminent thinker whose paradigmatic, original ideas paved the way for the advent of Chinese Buddhism. The universality of Buddha-nature, which Tao-sheng championed at the cost of excommunication, was to become a cornerstone of the Chinese Buddhist ideology. This book presents a comprehensive study of the only complete document by Tao-sheng still in existence.

(Chu) Tao-sheng stands out in history as a unique and preeminent thinker whose paradigmatic, original ideas paved the way for the advent of Chinese Buddhism. The universality of Buddha-nature, which Tao-sheng championed at the cost of excommunication, was to become a cornerstone of the Chinese Buddhist ideology. This book presents a comprehensive study of the only complete document by Tao-sheng still in existence.

Unparalleled in scope and detail, this classic history of Zen covers all important ideas and developments in the tradition from its beginnings in India through the Sung period in China.

"The ""Chao Lun: The Treatises of Seng-Chao,"" is the main scripture of the first period of Chinese Buddhism (about A.D. 300-700) before Dhyana-Buddhism absorbed all other interests (A.D. 700-1100). The Author believes that the two periods are connected and that in Dhyana-Buddhism the earlier thinking emerged cleansed from the traces of its Indian origin. Seng-Chao interpreted Mahayana, Hui-Neng and Shien-Hui re-thought it. The position of the Author is unusual and might be contested. But after a life-time given to the study of Chinese-Buddhism and the Chao-Lun in particular he has the right to be heard."" (Introduction to 2nd Edition by Hong Kong University Press - 1968) Walter Liebenthal (1886-1982), was a German philosopher and sinologist who specialized in Chinese Buddhism. He translated many philosophical works from Pali, Sanskrit and specially from Chinese into German or English.

The present volume is part of a series entitled World Spirituality: An Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest, which seeks to present the spiritual wisdom of the human race in its historical unfolding. The volume presents the richness of the spiritual heritage of the human race and designed to reflect the autonomy of the traditional in its historical development.