History of Chinese Buddhism in the 20th Century: The Rise of Humanistic Buddhism

This course offers a historical survey of the development of Humanistic Buddhism in China and Taiwan. The material is organized into four thematic phases: (1) the formulation of modern Buddhist reform ideals from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century; (2) the institutional consolidation of Humanistic Buddhism in postwar Taiwan, from the late 1940s to the 1980s; (3) divergent trajectories after 1980, including the rise of large transnational Buddhist organizations in Taiwan and the revival of Humanistic Buddhist discourse in contemporary China; and (4) emerging directions in the twenty-first century as Humanistic Buddhism adapts to global, social, economic, environmental, and cultural conditions. Students will examine the multiple figures, communities, and lineages that shaped these developments, recognizing that Humanistic Buddhism has never been a monolithic or static project. A central aim is to develop a critical understanding of what constitutes "Humanistic Buddhism," and to explore how this conceptual category encompasses diverse narratives responding to shifting intellectual, political, and institutional environments. The course also provides foundational grounding for the study of socially engaged Buddhism and broader pathways toward modern Buddhist practice.