Holmes Welch (1921–1981) is a towering figure in the study of Buddhism whose [1960s] trilogy on modern Chinese Buddhism stood as the definitive work on the topic for decades and remains a touchstone today. In many ways, Welch appears ahead of its time. Yet an investigation of Welch’s papers makes clear that his work can only be fully understood in the context of the Cold War, for it was not only shaped by but also served the American struggle against Communism.

This article explores how Buddhist Studies as a discipline serves the objectives of Western empires through the case study of one particular mid-century scholar.