Korea Journal of Buddhist Studies ISSN:1598-0642(Print) 불교학연구

Ouyang Jingwu (歐陽 竟無, 1871–1943) is the establisher of modern Chinese Buddhist Study. He was born in the typical Chinese gentry family in Jiangxi province. His family members gained upper gentry degree through the Imperial Examination, but could not take normal central government posts. His uncle Ouyang Xu educated Ouyang Jingwu who had lost his father in his early age. While traveling around the country as a private assistant, Xu was also keen on social engagements, including disseminating new education in Jiangxi province. This was a combination of the modern intellectuals’ sense of engagement and the traditional gentry class’ concept of social responsibility. After receiving traditional education such as Confucian scriptures and literature in his hometown, Jingwu learned statecraft theory and Western study at Jingxun Shuyuan in Nanchang, Jiangxi province. While the political movement swept the intellectual class at the time, Jingwu turned his perspective into human nature through Lu-Wang school theory, which laid the ideological foundation for him to turn to Buddhism. On the other hand, he established a school in his hometown and introduced new educational methods. This was directly influenced by his uncle Ouyang Xu, indicating his self-awareness as a gentleman who lived during the transition period of the country. At the same time, it was in line with Yang Renshan's intention to reform Chinese Buddhism through the new educational system, and became an important reason for Yang's choice of Ouyang Jingwu as his academic successor.