HAAS, Hans. Dumdorf near Bayreuth 3.12.1868 — Leipzig 10.9.1934. German Priest and Scholar of Comparative Religion, Japanese and Buddhism. Professor in Leipzig. Son of Johann Haas (1842–1885), a builder, and Margarete Lüchauer. Studied theology 1889-93 at Erlangen. In 1894-97 Lutheran Minister (Stadtvikar) in Aschaffenburg, developed from an orthodox into liberal and became interested in missionary work. Also studied languages in Berlin and London. Married 1898 Paula Erlenmeyer (1870–1942, one daughter) and went to Tokyo, as Minister of German Congregation and Principal of German Theological High School. Lectured also at Imperial University on history of religion, and became interested in Buddhism. Back in Germany in 1909, first private scholar, from 1913 ao. Professor at Jena and from 1915 Söderblom’s successor as Professor für vergleichende Religionsgeschichte at Theological Faculty, Leipzig.

Haas was mainly interested in Buddhism, but was also acqainted with other East Asian religions. He wanted to bring different religions nearer to each other and therefore also became interested in Akbar. Hon. Dr.Th. 1903 Strassburg.

Publications: Geschichte des Christentums in Japan. 1-2. Tokyo 1902-04; futrther works on religion.

– “Die Sekten des japanischen Buddhismus”, Zeitschrift für Missionskunde un Religionswiss. 20, 1905, 26 p.; “Tsungmi’s Yuen-zan-lun. Eine Abhandlung über den Ursprung des Menschen aus dem Kanon des chinesischen Buddhismus”, Archiv f. Rel.wiss. 12, 1909, 491-532.

– Amida Buddha unsere Zuflucht: urkunden zum verständnis des japanischen Sukhāvatī-buddhismus. 185 p. Göttingen 1910.

– Das Bild Muhammeds im Wandel der Zeiten. 80 p. B. 1916; Das Sprachgut Kungtses und Laotses. Lp. 1920.

– Mark XII, 41ff. und Kalpanāmandinikā (IV) 22. Lp. 1921, also p. 1-80 in «Das Scherflein der Witwe« und seine Entsprechung im Tripitaka. Veröff. d. Forsch.inst. für vgl. Religionswiss. an der Univ. Lp. 5. Lp. 1922; Bibliographie zur Frage nach dem Wechselbeziehungen zwischen Buddhismus und Christentum. 47 p. Ibid. 6. Lp. 1922; Buddha in der abendländischen Legende. 34 p. Ibid. 9. Lp. 1923.

– Die Buddha-Legende auf den Flachreliefs der ersten Galerie des Stûpa von Boro-Budur, Java. 8 p. 120 ill. Lp. 1923.

– Bilderatlas zur Religionsgeschichte. 1. Lief. Germanische Religion. 1923, 2-4. Lief. Aegyptische Religion. 1924, 5. Lief. Religion der Hethiter. 1925, 6. Lief. Babylonisch-Assyrische Religion. Lp. 1925; 8. Lief. Die Ainu und ihre Religion. Lp. 1925.