The History of Doctrinal Classification in Chinese Buddhism

This book examines the schemes for the classification of Buddhist texts and doctrines from their beginnings in the 5th century to Fazang (643-712). The panjiao schemes were among the methods Chinese Buddhist thinkers ordered and systematized the diversity of Buddhist thought. This book theorizes that there are two styles of panjiao schema: sectarian and ecumenical and, through citations and allusions to schema in later presentations, suggests the existence of an interactive relationship between the two styles.