Buddhism in Taiwan

By Charles Brewer Jones

Book Description

Buddhism in Taiwan offers readers a unique window into how spiritual traditions adapt and evolve within changing social landscapes. Charles Brewer Jones presents the first comprehensive examination in English of Chinese Buddhism's remarkable journey on the island, spanning from the Qing dynasty through the transformative decades of the late twentieth century.

This scholarly exploration reveals how external pressures and modernization have reshaped Buddhist practice in profound ways. Readers will discover how traditional monastic structures have transformed, with declining numbers of ordained clergy alongside the rising influence of Buddhist nuns who have claimed increasingly prominent roles within religious communities. The book illuminates how lay practitioners have gained greater significance in Buddhist institutions, fundamentally altering the relationship between monastic and secular spiritual life.

Jones examines pivotal shifts that reflect Buddhism's adaptation to contemporary realities. The tradition's movement away from funeral services as a primary source of institutional support, changes in how lay followers approach religious precepts, and the emergence of large-scale international Buddhist organizations all demonstrate religion's capacity for renewal and growth.

For those interested in understanding how spiritual movements navigate political and social change, this work provides valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between ancient wisdom traditions and modern circumstances. The book reveals how Buddhism has not merely survived but flourished through periods of significant transformation, offering lessons about resilience and adaptation in spiritual practice.