"Despite the central place of monasticism in the historical development of Chinese Buddhism, studies on the topic, with some prominent exceptions, are not as developed as other aspects of Chinese Buddhist history. Rev. Yifa's excellent book... goes a long way toward rectifying this situation. This book provides a wealth of information on the production of texts about monastic discipline and ... Read morethe institutional history of Chinese Buddhism, as well as a reliable translation of... the oldest comprehensive monastic code produced by the Chan school. As someone with a background in both religious and academic worlds, Yifa... brings to the subject a high level of scholarship and keen sensitivity to the intricacies of monastic life and institutions.... [This work] is an important contribution to Buddhist studies by helping to illuminate the institutional history of Chinese Buddhism up to the Song, thereby reshaping our understanding of the evolution of monasticism in China and the place of the Chan school in that protracted process." - Philosophy East & West" Show Less