On Jan Yün-hua’s (Ran Yunhua 冉雲華 [1923-2018]) scholarship in Chinese Buddhism

ABSTRACT Jan Yün-hua is an internationally renowned scholar who has conducted exquisite research in the fields of Buddhist studies, Chan Studies, Dunhuang Studies, and Daoist Studies, among which Chinese Buddhism in particular is renowned. This paper discusses the life of Jan Yün-hua, his academic achievements, and his exploration of ‘transformation of Buddhism from India to China’ in three aspects. This paper argues that during his decades of academic career, Jan has focused on the ambitious academic goal of ‘the transformation of Buddhism from India to China and its process,’ which is the original purpose of his Buddhist studies and the theme of his lifelong exploration. According to Jan, the core idea of Chinese Buddhism, the idea of ‘one mind’, was formed in the eighth century. This idea was first established by Chengguan and finally completed by Zongmi and Yanshou. The concept of ‘one mind’ was first propagated by Tiantai, then supplemented and enriched by Huayan Buddhism, and after the incubation of the unification of meditation and doctrines, and the addition of Chan Buddhism, it became the mainstream development of Chinese Buddhism, and finally became the core thought of Chinese Buddhism.