Since ancient times, the mutual exchange of Han Chinese Buddhist texts has been an essential aspect of the development of Buddhism that cannot be overlooked. For example, during the late Ming and early Qing periods, many Chinese Buddhist scriptures were transmitted to Japan, which indirectly prompted Japanese monks to reflect on the existence of their own literature and led to the acceptance and revision of ideas. This can be glimpsed in the efforts of Japanese Soto Zen monk Dōsui, who actively sought to request and donate texts to China.

Historically, there have been many who traveled from Japan and Korea to China in search of teachings, and there were also numerous Chinese monks who propagated Buddhism in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. For instance, the only monk from Japan to have visited Sichuan, the author of Ming'e Collection, and the Japanese monk Xuecun, who received poetry from the Ming founder, as well as the monk Juehai Zhongcun, who corresponded with Ming Taizu. This indicates that exchanges between the two countries were still vibrant during the Yuan and Ming dynasties.

However, exchanges were interrupted for over a century during the late Qing period until the monk Xiaoguan Qixiang from the True Sect traveled to China to spread teachings and engaged in debates on Pure Land thought with Yang Wenhui, marking the revival of interactions between Japanese and Chinese monks.

Overall, the history of East Asian literary exchanges shows that the transmission of Buddhist texts was the most active and significant, receiving more attention than other texts, such as Confucian classics. The differing evaluations and significance placed on the same Buddhist texts and figures by East Asian countries reflect specific value judgments. Therefore, cherishing and examining these previously overlooked rare documents may yield new discoveries in cultural and religious history, necessitating ongoing attention and effort in the future.

Prof. Liao Chao-Heng, Ph.D. in Literature from the University of Tokyo. Researcher at the Institute of Chinese Literature and Philosophy at Academia Sinica. Former visiting professor at the University of Tokyo. His main research areas include the theory of classical Chinese literature, the cultural history of Buddhism in early modern East Asia, and the history of cultural exchange in East Asia. He has received several honors, including the Excellent Young Scholar Award from Academia Sinica (2005) and contributions to the Journal of the Japanese Association for Chinese Studies.

He is the author of Zhong Bian, Shi Chan, Meng Xi: Presentations and Developments of the Cultural Discourse of Zen in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and Zhong Yi Pu Ti: An Analysis of the Loyalty and Righteousness Discourse of the Remaining Monks at the Turn of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. He has edited works such as Sacred Tradition and Poetry Zen: A Collection of Studies on Chinese Literature and Religion and A History of Chinese Buddhist Literature (Volume II: Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing). He has also translated Buddhism and Confucianism by Japanese scholar Araki Kigen.

"The Theory of Zhuangzi Honoring Confucius" and "The Theory of Unity Between Zhuangzi and Chan Buddhism" have been two major currents in the history of Zhuangzi studies since the Song Dynasty. However, very few scholars within these trends have managed to construct comprehensive theoretical frameworks and develop original perspectives. The late Ming Caodong School master Xuelang Daosheng and his disciple Fang Yizhi made remarkable breakthroughs and contributions precisely in these two areas.

Xuelang Daosheng first proposed works such as "The Convergence of the Three Masters," which "positioned Zhuangzi as the true intellectual heir of Yao and Confucius," formally incorporating Zhuangzi into the Confucian tradition and preliminarily establishing the theoretical foundation for his "return to Confucianism." His disciple Fang Yizhi (also known as Wuke Hongzhi) not only regarded Zhuangzi as an orthodox successor of Confucianism but also facilitated the convergence of Zhuangzi's philosophy with the Study of Changes and Chan Buddhism.

What distinguishes his integration with Chan Buddhism is the absence of forced interpretations or simplistic analogies. Instead, he introduced concise yet profound innovations: expressions such as "the farmer tills the land, the scholar studies," and "a harmonious household where the master naturally guides the servants" demonstrate strikingly vivid imagery and richly layered meanings.

Prof. Hsu Sheng-hsin, with ancestral roots in Jiaoling, Guangdong, serves as a Professor in the Department of Chinese Literature at National Taiwan University. He has held prestigious appointments including Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo, Director of the Center for Buddhist Studies at NTU, and Editor-in-Chief of the NTU Journal of Buddhist Studies. His scholarly expertise spans pre-Qin Confucianism, Zhuangzi and the history of Zhuangzi studies, the interplay among the Three Teachings (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism) during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the history of Chinese aesthetics, and Chinese dream culture.

This lecture will place the stone tower festivals unearthed in Shanxi, Shaanxi, and the eastern part of Gansu within a broader historical context of early medieval Buddhist tower construction and worship. It will explore the characteristics of small and medium-sized stone towers in relation to larger temple structures. The research will also combine stone towers with inscriptions, analyzing the similarities and differences among "towers," "statues," and "stones" from the perspective of donors in the Northern Dynasties.

Professor Zhao Jinchao holds a Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Virginia. He completed a joint postdoctoral fellowship at NYU Shanghai and Fudan University in Asian Studies. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Arts and Cultural Industries at the School of Humanities, Tongji University, and is recognized as a Pujiang Talent in Shanghai. Additionally, he is a visiting scholar at the Institute of Chinese Culture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the French Institute for Advanced Study.

His primary research focuses on medieval Chinese Buddhist art, early Indian Buddhist art, and 20th-century Chinese overseas school education in India. He has published numerous articles in both Chinese and English journals, as well as book chapters and academic translations.

This lecture discusses the different interpretations of the concept of emptiness in Mahayana Buddhism and traces the Indian origins and Chinese context of the notion of Original Awakening in Chinese Buddhism.

Professor Fu Xinyi, Ph.D., is currently a professor at the School of Philosophy at Fudan University, serving as a doctoral supervisor, the director of the Department of Religious Studies, and the head of the Institute of Religious Studies. He is also a member of the editorial board and associate editor of the "Continuation of the Chinese Tripitaka (Han Literature Part)," as well as the associate editor of "Buddhist Cultural Studies." Additionally, he is a doctoral and master's supervisor at institutions such as the China Buddhist Academy and Minnan Buddhist Academy. His main research areas include Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist literature, with a particular focus on the study of Yogācāra, Abhidharma, and Pramana (logic).

This lecture is divided into two parts: The first part will explore the concept of the three bodies and four lands in Buddhist thought, using the theory of transformation in Yogācāra as a thread. The second part will examine the similarities and differences between the Pure Land thought in Chinese Yogācāra and Pure Land Buddhism.

Professor Fu Xinyi, Ph.D., is currently a professor at the School of Philosophy at Fudan University, serving as a doctoral supervisor, the director of the Department of Religious Studies, and the head of the Institute of Religious Studies. He is also a member of the editorial board and associate editor of the "Continuation of the Chinese Tripitaka (Han Literature Part)," as well as the associate editor of "Buddhist Cultural Studies." Additionally, he is a doctoral and master's supervisor at institutions such as the China Buddhist Academy and Minnan Buddhist Academy. His main research areas include Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist literature, with a particular focus on the study of Yogācāra, Abhidharma, and Pramana (logic).

In the realm of academia where rationality is paramount, faith is often seen as a non-scientific "other." Are the two necessarily in opposition? This lecture will delve into the complex interactions between academic research and systems of faith, analyzing the intertwining of rational inquiry and spiritual pursuit from multiple perspectives, including the philosophy of science and religious studies. Master Jingyin will share valuable research experiences, discussing how faith influences academic thinking and their mutual interactions. The master will also conduct an in-depth analysis of belief systems across different cultural contexts and explore their potential impacts on research methodologies and outcomes.

Venerable Jing Yin, currently serves as the Abbot of Po Lin Monastery, a professor and doctoral supervisor at Nanjing University, the Director of Centre of Buddhist Studies at Hong Kong Chu Hai College, a visiting professor at the University of Hong Kong, a member of the Board of Directors at Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education, and a subject expert for the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. He has previously held the position of Director of the HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies.

During the Tang Dynasty, there was a decline in Maitreya belief and a rise in Amitabha belief, rooted in profound historical and ideological changes. The flourishing of Pure Land belief in the Tang era marked a transformation of Buddhism from an elite philosophy to a popular religion. By simplifying doctrines, strengthening rituals, and constructing visions of the Pure Land, it effectively addressed the ultimate concerns of the populace regarding life and death during a time of chaos. This movement also facilitated a deeper embedding of Buddhism within the ethical structure and daily life of Chinese society. Its legacy is reflected not only in religious practices but also in the profound influence it had on Chinese concepts of death, artistic aesthetics, and even social organization, making it a significant aspect of the history of Buddhist development in China.

Sun Yinggang, Ph.D. from Princeton University, is a professor and executive vice dean of the School of History at Zhejiang University. He is a recipient of the Ministry of Education's Young Changjiang Scholars Award and serves as the chief expert for a major project under the National Social Science Fund. Additionally, he is the vice president of the Chinese Society for the Study of the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. His research focuses on the history of Buddhism, medieval history, and the Silk Road. He has published several works, including "The Era of Divine Texts," "A History of Gandharan Civilization," and "The History of the Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties." He has authored over 100 academic papers published in journals such as "Historical Research," "Chinese Historical Research," and "World Religious Studies." He has been invited multiple times to conduct research and teach at academic institutions in Europe, America, Japan, and Taiwan.

Gandhara played an important role in the history of Buddhist development. The rise of Mahayana Buddhism around the turn of the era marked a "globalization" movement in the spread of Buddhism across Asia. During this time, Buddhism underwent changes in doctrine and thought, including the flourishing of the bodhisattva belief, the rise of Pure Land faith, and the promotion of the spirit of generosity. These changes subsequently influenced the appearance of Buddhism once it entered the Central Plains. Many elements of Chinese Buddhist thought and artistic symbols can be traced back to Gandhara. Research on Gandharan Buddhism provides art historical and archaeological evidence for the study of the rise of Mahayana Buddhism, allowing visual corroboration of textual records and enriching the historical landscape of Buddhist development. This is of significant importance for understanding the history of Chinese Buddhism, the history of Buddhist art, and the history of the Silk Road.

Sun Yinggang, Ph.D. from Princeton University, is a professor and executive vice dean of the School of History at Zhejiang University. He is a recipient of the Ministry of Education's Young Changjiang Scholars Award and serves as the chief expert for a major project under the National Social Science Fund. Additionally, he is the vice president of the Chinese Society for the Study of the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. His research focuses on the history of Buddhism, medieval history, and the Silk Road. He has published several works, including "The Era of Divine Texts," "A History of Gandharan Civilization," and "The History of the Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties." He has authored over 100 academic papers published in journals such as "Historical Research," "Chinese Historical Research," and "World Religious Studies." He has been invited multiple times to conduct research and teach at academic institutions in Europe, America, Japan, and Taiwan.