Written by a leading authority on Chinese Buddhism, this book provides an unparalleled insight into Chinese religious life before the onset of communism.


Dr. Reichelt was known in missionary circles as the West’s greatest interpreter of Chinese Buddhism. For years Buddhist priests lived with him in the Mission at Tao Feng Shan, Hong Kong where he got to know them intimately.

The author’s study is based on his extensive experience and depth of knowledge of Buddhism. He also extends his scope to include Confucianism, Taoism and Chinese Islam as well as the indigenous religions of animism and ancestor worship.

Dr. Reichelt meditated deeply on the prologue to the Fourth Gospel and was a firm believer in the conception of the Logos Spermatikos. Hence his sympathetic, though critical treatment of these religions which even to this day are still relatively unknown in the West.