The Madhyama Agama or Middle-Length Discourses, belong to the earliest stratum of Buddhist sutra litera- ture. The dialogues between S a kyamuni Buddha and his disciples and followers present the teachings of early Buddhism.

Among Chinese religious sites, Mount Putuo, the "Island of Guanyin," stands out as a fascinating embodiment of China's vibrant Buddhist tradition. A small island in the East China Sea, it has been the single most important pilgrimage site for the worship of Guanyin, the beloved Bodhisattva of Compassion, who is venerated from Sri Lanka to Japan.

Attracting thousands of visitors every year, the site has accumulated a multi-layered historical record, as it appears in different lights in poems, biographies, maps, and legends across the centuries. From its foundation in Mahayana Buddhist...