Thematic research on the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra: An integrative review

Abstract

The current integrative review aims to do the following: frst, examine the Chinese and English topical studies on the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra published from 1900 to 2011; second, analyze the characteristics of those works; third, investigate related study trends through a statistical analysis; and fnally, identify research gaps. This review not only offers a comprehensive overview of the available literature on the Sūtra retrieved from 25 English and Chinese electronic databases, but also categorizes the 256 selected publications (n=34 English; n=222 Chinese) into eight sub-themes: art (n=36; 14%), book reviews (n=11; 4%), philological studies (n=11; 4%), literature (n=24; 10%), philosophy (n=77; 30%), textual criticism (n=22; 9%), translation (n=56; 22%), and miscellaneous topics (n=19; 7%); thus illuminating different research foci and features between English and Chinese scholars, and also among Chinese researchers in various territories. This project illustrates how an integrative review can be employed in Buddhist studies; it reveals challenges and opportunities related to Buddhist studies, stemming from technology; it suggests collaborative research in Buddhism; and it proposes the application of the philosophy of the Sūtra to practical disciplines. © 2014 Equinox Publishing Ltd.