Long-Term Trends in Humanities Knowledge Production: Evidence from Buddhist Studies (1990–2024)

Abstract As part of research evaluation and disciplinary studies, understanding the long-term evolution of academic knowledge is essential. This study examines the macro-level development of Buddhist Studies between 1990 and 2024 using bibliometric and time series data from the OpenAlex academic database. By analyzing publication output, institutional distribution, and temporal trends, it reconstructs the historical trajectory of the field and discusses possible directions for future academic and institutional development. The analysis indicates that Buddhist Studies has experienced steady growth over the past three decades. Following an initial period of rapid expansion, the field has undergone increasing consolidation and structural organization. Rather than offering an interpretive or historical analysis of Buddhist doctrines or narratives, this study contributes empirical evidence and a methodological approach by developing a quantitative, reproducible, and scalable framework for examining the disciplinary development of Buddhist Studies. The findings further suggest a stage-based growth pattern and the emergence of multiple, diversified institutional centers, reflecting the transregional and transcultural character of the field. Predictive results derived from historical data should therefore be interpreted as indicative rather than definitive, as future developments may be shaped by policy, funding, and linguistic factors.