What impact did Buddhism have on China? Buddhism had the greatest impact on social system in China. Buddhism believed in equality, and the believers did not judge people of lower classes about their problems. This is why Buddhism appealed to so many. The Buddhist religion also brought a much-needed peace among the people of China.
Why did Buddhism appeal to many people in China?
Buddhism offered salvation to all people; the seeking of nirvana, peace and other non-violent Buddhist doctrines would have appealed to people at a time when China was a brutal and dangerous place. The universal creed even gained popularity with the warlords, who as foreign and relatively uneducated rulers, would have been devalued
Why did Buddhism spread so rapidly through China?
There are multiple reasons why and how Buddhism spread in China. I feel that factors like, religion, politics, and social, played a major part in spreading Buddhism throughout China. The factors mentioned are usually a contributor in global changes and has definitely played its part in China’s adapting a new belief.
Why is Buddhism the major religion of China?
The Buddhism that first became popular in China during the Han dynasty was deeply coloured with magical practices, making it compatible with popular Chinese Taoism (a combination of folk beliefs and practices and philosophy). Instead of the doctrine of no-self, early Chinese Buddhists taught the indestructibility of the soul.
What made Buddhism popular in China?
What made Buddhism so popular in China? The Buddhism that first became popular in China during the Han dynasty was deeply coloured with magical practices, making it compatible with popular Chinese Taoism (a combination of folk beliefs and practices and philosophy). Many Chinese emperors worshiped Lao-tzu and the Buddha on the same altar. What is ]
How has Buddhism influenced China?
Buddhism heavily influenced China and has shaped it into the nation it is today. Through the spread of Buddhism, other philosophies in China have also changed and developed. Adopting the Buddhist way of paying homage through art, Taoist art began being created and China developed its architectural culture.
When did Buddhism become an important influence in China?
By the 4th century, Buddhism's influence had begun to match that of Daoism across China. There were almost 2,000 monasteries scattered across the south which thrived under the Emperor Wu of Liang (502-549 AD), a keen patron of Buddhist temples and monasteries.
Why did Buddhism become widely adopted in China?
Why did Buddhism become widely adopted in China? Buddhism became widely adopted in China because many Chinese seeking peace and comforts became Buddhists.
What is Buddhism in China?
Chinese Buddhism is one of the oldest forms of Buddhism in history and China's oldest foreign religion. Chinese Buddhists believe in a combination of Taoism and Mahayana Buddhism, the latter of which teaches that enlightenment can be achieved in a single lifetime.
When did Buddhism become the state religion of China?
Buddhism was a powerful intellectual force in China; monastic establishments proliferated, and Buddhism became established among the peasantry. Thus, it is not surprising that, when the Sui dynasty (581–618) established its rule over a reunified China, Buddhism flourished as a state religion.
Who popularized Buddhism in China?
Emperor Ming of HanAccording to the most popular one, Emperor Ming of Han (28–75 CE) precipitated the introduction of Buddhist teachings into China.
When did Buddhism become popular?
In the 3rd century B.C., Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Indian emperor, made Buddhism the state religion of India. Buddhist monasteries were built, and missionary work was encouraged. Over the next few centuries, Buddhism began to spread beyond India.
What century did Buddhism spread China?
Buddhism entered Han China via the Silk Road, beginning in the 1st or 2nd century CE. The first documented translation efforts by Buddhist monks in China were in the 2nd century CE via the Kushan Empire into the Chinese territory bordering the Tarim Basin under Kanishka.
How did Buddhism enter China?
It is widely believed that Buddhism entered China via the Silk Road under the Han Dynasty. After trade and travel was established with the Yuezhi, who by that time were forced southward toward India, Yuezhi monks began to travel with the merchant caravans; preaching their religion along the Silk Road. The Yuezhi religion believed in many deities, of which the Buddha was one, and it quickly spread throughout the region.
Why did the Nanzhao build temples?
The Nanzhao were Buddhist and constructed large Buddhist temples around Dali and on Shibaoshan Mountain to serve as centers for Buddhist teaching. Their rulers were heavily influenced by the religious teachings of traveling foreigners and incorporated such into the regional religion, further expanding it. While the Tang Dynasty turned against Buddhism, the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom supported it. They preserved Buddhism and helped it spread, with the world famous Three Pagodas built under their rule, serving as testament to their support.
What did Buddha teach about suffering?
Buddhism as taught in the first scriptures of about the second century BC say that Buddha taught "Four Noble Truths": suffering is a part of existence; the origin of suffering is craving for sensuality, acquisition of identity, and annihilation; suffering can be ended; and following the Noble Eightfold Path is the means to accomplish this.
How long did Buddha live?
Gautama Buddha was the founder of the religion. He lived between 600 and 400 BC.
What do Chinese Buddhists believe?
Chinese Buddhists believe in a combination of Taoism and Buddhism, meaning they pray to both Buddha and Taoist gods. Just like Taoists, Chinese Buddhists also pay homage to their ancestors, with the belief that they need and want their help. A prime example of this combination of religious beliefs is the burning of joss paper by Buddhists during religious ceremonies and festivals, like the annual Qingming Festival.
Where were the first Buddhist statues built?
The earliest statues show typical Indian hand gestures and poses, however the Bezeklik Grottoes near Turpan, built after the Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves, feature Caucasian, Indian, and Mongoloid Buddhists together. Central Asians continued to spread Buddhist teachings throughout the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), during which Buddhism became very popular and powerful right until the end; when Taoist rulers turned against Buddhists and destroyed thousands of monasteries along with tens of thousands of temples.
What are the most popular places to visit in Tibet?
Tibet's popular attractions and pilgrimage sites have thousands of daily visitors. Sacred mountains and lakes in Tibet can also be considered popular Tibetan Buddhism sites. Watching monks debate scriptures at Sera Monastery is a highlight considered not-to-be-missed by many travelers.
What were the problems of Buddhism in China?
Initially, Buddhism in China faced a number of difficulties in becoming established. The concept of monasticism and the aversion to social affairs seemed to contradict the long-established norms and standards established in Chinese society. Some even declared that Buddhism was harmful to the authority of the state, that Buddhist monasteries contributed nothing to the economic prosperity of China, that Buddhism was barbaric and undeserving of Chinese cultural traditions. However, Buddhism was often associated with Taoism in its ascetic meditative tradition, and for this reason a concept-matching system was used by some early Indian translators, to adapt native Buddhist ideas onto Daoist ideas and terminology.
What was the purpose of Gentry Buddhism?
Buddhism appealed to Chinese intellectuals and elites and the development of gentry Buddhism was sought as an alternative to Confucianism and Daoism, since Buddhism's emphasis on morality and ritual appealed to Confucianists and the desire to cultivate inner wisdom appealed to Daoists. Gentry Buddhism was a medium of introduction for the beginning of Buddhism in China, it gained imperial and courtly support. By the early 5th century Buddhism was established in south China. During this time, Indian monks continued to travel along the Silk Road to teach Buddhism, and translation work was primarily done by foreign monks rather than Chinese.
What is the White Horse Temple?
White Horse Temple, traditionally held to be at the origin of Chinese Buddhism. A number of popular accounts in historical Chinese literature have led to the popularity of certain legends regarding the introduction of Buddhism into China.
How many Chinese people are there in the People's Republic?
Currently, there are about 1.3 billion Chinese living in the People's Republic. Surveys have found that around 18.2% to 20% of this population adheres to Buddhism. Furthermore, PEW found that another 21% of the Chinese population followed Chinese folk religions that incorporated elements of Buddhism.
When did Buddhism first come to China?
While the scholarly consensus is that Buddhism first came to China in the first century CE during the Han dynasty, through missionaries from India, it is not known precisely when Buddhism entered China.
Which empire did Buddhism first enter?
Buddhist expansion in Asia: Mahayana Buddhism first entered the Chinese Empire ( Han dynasty) through Silk Road during the Kushan Era. The overland and maritime "Silk Roads" were interlinked and complementary, forming what scholars have called the "great circle of Buddhism".
Who was the first Buddhist monk to practice Buddhism?
Mahāyāna Buddhism was first widely propagated in China by the Kushan monk Lokakṣema (Ch. 支婁迦讖, active c. 164–186 CE), who came from the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Gandhāra. Lokakṣema translated important Mahāyāna sūtras such as the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra, as well as rare, early Mahāyāna sūtras on topics such as samādhi, and meditation on the buddha Akṣobhya. These translations from Lokakṣema continue to give insight into the early period of Mahāyāna Buddhism. This corpus of texts often includes emphasizes ascetic practices and forest dwelling, and absorption in states of meditative concentration:
What is the difference between Buddhism and Confucianism?
Confucianism is focused on ethics and maintaining harmony and social order in society. Buddhism , on the other hand, emphasized entering the monastic life to seek a reality beyond reality. Confucian China was not terribly friendly to Buddhism. Yet, Buddhism slowly spread.
What is the laughing Buddha called?
As the first thousand years of Buddhism in China ended, the legends of the Laughing Buddha, called Budai or Pu-tai, emerged from Chinese folklore in the 10th century. This rotund character remains a favorite subject of Chinese art. Cite this Article.
How many monasteries were there in China in the 4th century?
The elite of Chinese society freely associated with the growing number of Buddhist monks and scholars. By the 4th century, there were almost 2,000 monasteries in the south. Buddhism enjoyed a significant flowering in south China under Emperor Wu of Liang, who ruled from 502 to 549.
What is the significance of Mahayana Buddhism?
Mahayana Buddhism has played a significant role in China and it has a long and rich history. As Buddhism grew in the country, it adapted to and influenced the Chinese culture and a number of schools developed.
What is Tiantai's teaching?
Tiantai emerged as a distinctive school through the teachings of Zhiyi (also spelled Chih-i, 538 to 597). Along with being a major school in its own right, Tiantai's emphasis on the Lotus Sutra influenced other schools of Buddhism.
What was the Han Dynasty?
The Han Dynasty fell in 220, beginning a period of social and political chaos. China splintered into many kingdoms and fiefdoms. The time from 385 to 581 is often called the period of Northern and Southern Dynasties, although the political reality was more complicated than that.
Which schools survived the suppression?
Of the several distinctive schools that had originated in China, only Pure Land and Ch'an survived the suppression with an appreciable number of followers. Tiantai flourished in Japan as Tendai. Huayan survives in Japan as Kegon. Huayan teachings also remain visible in Ch'an and Zen Buddhism.
What were the spokesmen of Chinese Buddhism?
The spokesmen of Chinese Buddhism under the early Mongol rulers came from the Chan ( Zen) sect (a discipline focused on meditation). Their high intellectuality and refined aestheticism, however, did not appeal to the Mongols, who felt more attracted by the mixture of magic practices, rather nebulous metaphysics, and impressive symbolism in the visual arts of Tibetan Buddhism. Kublai Khan appointed a young Tibetan lama known by the honorific name of ’Phags-pa as imperial preceptor ( dishi ); ’Phags-pa became the head of the Buddhist faith in all Mongol dominions, including China. A special government agency was established in 1264 to deal with Buddhism and served as a sort of bureau for the imperial preceptor; it was in charge not only of Buddhist affairs in general but also of Tibetan affairs, although Tibet remained outside the administration of China proper, and no Mongol garrisons were ever established in Tibet. Tibetan politicians had thus succeeded in winning over the Mongol court and in retaining a more-than-nominal independence.
What religions came to China?
Foreign religions. Tibetan Buddhism always remained outside Chinese civilization, as did other imported religions. A certain number of Muslims came to China, all from the Middle East or from Central Asia. The Turkic Öngüt tribe was largely Nestorian Christian.
What was the Yuan system?
The system of the Yuan, as introduced in 1313, provided different types of curricula for Mongols, other foreigners ( semuren ), and Chinese; also, the requirements were different: Chinese had to show their complete mastery of the curriculum, whereas Mongols and other foreigners had to give only a mediocre performance.
How many monks were there in China in 1300?
About 1300 the number of monks throughout China was estimated at 500,000, and it must have grown during the last decades of Mongol rule. Monks played a great role in the rebellions to which the Yuan empire eventually succumbed; also, the first Ming emperor had been a monk for some time.
Was Confucianism a religion?
Confucianism was perceived by the Mongols as a Chinese religion , and it had mixed fortunes under their rule. The teachings of the Neo-Confucian school of Zhu Xi from the Song period were introduced to the Mongol court at Zhongdu in the late 1230s but were confined to limited circles there and in northern China. Confucian scholars enjoyed the benefits extended to the clergy of all religions, but they were dealt a strong blow when the literary examinations were discontinued following the Mongol conquest. For many centuries the examinations, based on Confucian texts, had been the basis for the selection of officials and for their privileged position within the state and society. After Kublai’s accession, Confucianism had a more cordial reception at the Mongol court through the efforts of Chinese advisers such as Liu Bingzhong and the great Confucian master Xu Heng. Under their stewardship a certain Confucianization took place in government and education. Chinese rituals were performed for a while in the dynastic temple ( taimiao ), erected in Zhongdu in 1263. State sacrifices were offered to Confucius, and the study of the Classics was encouraged. However, many of the rites observed at the court that were either Tibetan Buddhist or inherited from the Mongol nomadic past were continued. The emperor Buyantu (reigned 1311–20), one of the most Sinicized Mongol rulers, reintroduced the examination system in 1313, but it remains doubtful how well the examinations functioned. They certainly did not guarantee an official career, as those under the Song and, to a certain extent, under the Jin had done.
Where is the Fogong Temple?
Fogong Temple: timber pagoda. Timber pagoda of the Fogong Temple, 1056, Song dynasty; at Yingxian, Shanxi province, China. Christopher Liu/ChinaStock Photo Library. After the conquest of Song China, a special agency for the supervision of Buddhism in southern China was established and placed under the control of another Tibetan lama.
Where were the supervisory offices for Buddhism located?
There thus existed two supervisory offices for Buddhism—one in Dadu for northern China and Tibet and one in Lin’an for southern China. The southern office caused great resentment among Chinese Buddhists and the population at large by its brutal and avaricious procedures, property seizures, and extortions from the population.
Where are the first Buddhist temples in China?
While in China, I have visited many Buddhist temples, including the White Horse Temple (the first Buddhist temple in China), the Shaolin Temple (foundation of Zen Buddhism), and the Lama Temple in Beijing. During these inspirational events, I see the temple packed with tourists, pilgrims, and monks alike. People crowd temple entrances, lighting incense and donating money at every donation box. Each time I visit a temple it amazes me how much Chinese people embrace Buddhism.
Is Buddhism a minority religion in China?
Although practicing Buddhists are a small minority in China, Buddhism still has a significant effect on everyday life and culture in China. The colorful and vibrant displays found at Buddhist temples add depth and meaning to my visit and create wonderful visual representations to capture and share.
Is China an atheist country?
The People’s Republic of China is an atheist state. The Cultural Revolution moved to eliminate religion completely, destroying temples and religious relics across the country. Although the government has taken a more liberal stance toward religion since the 1970s, a 2007 survey conducted by Shanghai University shows that less than a third of Chinese people identify as religious. Of a total population of 1.357 billion, this equates to 300 million people who identify as religious. While Buddhism is the largest religion in China, it is only a single aspect of the total religious population.
What Is Chinese Buddhism and What Do Chinese Buddhists Believe?
- Chinese Buddhism is one of the oldest forms of Buddhism in history and China’s oldest foreign religion. Chinese Buddhists believe in a combination of Taoism and Mahayana Buddhism, the latter of which teaches that enlightenment can be achieved in a single lifetime. Mahayana Buddhism was originally founded during the Kushan Empire and spread to China...
How Chinese Buddhism Differs
- One significant differencebetween Chinese Buddhism and original Buddhist teachings is the belief that Buddha is not just a teacher who taught followers what to do, but a god to be prayed to for help and salvation. Chinese Buddhists believe in a combination of Taoism and Buddhism, meaning they pray to both Buddha and Taoist gods. Just like Taoists, Chinese Buddhists also pa…
Buddhism's History
- Buddhism started as a Hindu influenced religion in India. Details about Buddha's life and original teachings as presented in the first century BC Buddhist scriptures are important for understanding how Chinese Buddhism developed. Gautama Buddha was the founderof the religion. He lived between 600 and 400 BC. Buddha and his followers left no writings, but his rules for monastic lif…
The History of Buddhism in China
- Throughout Chinese history, Buddhism and Chinese Buddhists received a mix of support and persecution from China’s rulers, with some even going as far as to destroy temples and scriptures in an effort to eradicate the religion. Many theories and beliefs surround the early years of Buddhism in China. What’s certain though is that during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), Emperor …
The Main Schools of Buddhism in China
- During the peak of Mahayana Buddhism in Chinese Buddhist history, four main Schools of Buddhism emerged in China: Pure Land Buddhism, the Chan School of Buddhism, the Tiantai School of Buddhism, and the Huayan School of Buddhism.
Silk Road Buddhism
- It is widely believed that Buddhism entered China via the Silk Road under the Han Dynasty. After trade and travel was established with the Yuezhi, who by that time were forced southward toward India, Yuezhi monks began to travel with the merchant caravans; preaching their religion along the Silk Road. The Yuezhi religion believed in many deities, of which the Buddha was one, and it quic…
Tea Horse Road Buddhism
- Apart from the Silk Road, the Tea Horse Road was another major land trade route running through Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet; linking southeastern China with Southeast Asia. Throughout the Tang Dynasty’s rule, the Nanzhao Empire flourished in present day Yunnan, with their capital being the city of Dali. The Nanzhao were Buddhist and constructed large Buddhist temples around Dali an…
Tibetan Buddhism
- Tibetan Buddhism is aptly named after the region of Tibet in Southeast China. Buddhism is believed to have arrived in Tibet from Central Asia between the 7th and 9th centuries AD and is derived from Indian Buddhism, combining Mahayana Buddhism with the Tantric teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism, along with shamanic elementsof the native Bon religion. Tibetan Buddhis…
The Top Buddhist Sites in China
- Throughout the years Chinese Buddhists have built a multitude of Buddhist Religious Sites across the country, showcasing the rich influence Buddhism has had on Chinese culture.
Yearning to Learn More About Buddhism in China?
- If you’re eager to learn more about Chinese Buddhism, get in touch with our local experts and they’ll help you create a personalized trip of China’s top Buddhist sites. Our knowledgeable travel advisers and local tour guides will be sure to blend some of the top Chinese Buddhist highlightsinto your tailor-made itinerary. If you're looking to add a few visits to a some popular B…
Overview
Chinese Buddhism or Han Buddhism (simplified Chinese: 汉传佛教; traditional Chinese: 漢傳佛教; pinyin: Hànchuán Fójiào) is a Chinese form of Mahayana Buddhism which has shaped Chinese culture in a wide variety of areas including art, politics, literature, philosophy, medicine and material culture. Chinese Buddhism is the largest institutionalized religion in Mainland China. Currently, t…
History
Various legends tell of the presence of Buddhism in Chinese soil in very ancient times. While the scholarly consensus is that Buddhism first came to China in the first century CE during the Han dynasty, through missionaries from India, it is not known precisely when Buddhism entered China.
Generations of scholars have debated whether Buddhist missionaries first rea…
Sects
There are many sects and organisations proclaiming a Buddhist identity and pursuit (fo or fu: "awakening", "enlightenment") that are not recognised as legitimate Buddhism by the Chinese Buddhist Association and the government of the People's Republic of China. This group includes:
• Guanyin Buddhism [Awakening Teaching] (观音佛教 Guānyīn Fójiào) or Guanyin Church (观音会 Guānyīn Huì)
Teachings
Chinese Buddhism incorporates elements of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
Common practices include
• paying homage to Triple Gems
• veneration of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
See also
• Avalokitesvara (Guanyin)
• Budai (Maitreya)
• Buddhism in East Asia
• Buddhism in Southeast Asia
• Buddhism in Hong Kong
Further reading
• Nan Huai-Chin (1998), Basic Buddhism: Exploring Buddhism and Zen, Translated by J.C. Cleary, Red Wheel Weiser
• Nan Huai-Chin (1995), The Story of Chinese Zen, Translated by Thomas Cleary, Charles E. Tuttle Company
• Tansen Sen (2003), Buddhism, Diplomacy, and Trade: The realignment of Sino-Indian Relations, 600–1400, Association for Asian Studies & University of Hawai'i Press
External links
• China Buddhist Association
• Timeline of China Buddhism
• About Buddhism in China: A Selected Bibliography
• Chinese Buddhism
The Beginning of Buddhism in China
Northern and Southern Dynasties
- The Han Dynasty fell in 220, beginning a period of social and political chaos. China splintered into many kingdoms and fiefdoms. The time from 385 to 581 is often called the period of Northern and Southern Dynasties, although the political reality was more complicated than that. For purposes of this article, though, we'll compare north and south China. A large part of north Chin…
New Buddhist Schools
- New schools of Mahayana Buddhism began to emerge in China. In 402 CE, the monk and teacher Hui-yuan (336-416) established the White Lotus Society at Mount Lushan in southeast China. This was the beginning of the Pure Land school of Buddhism. Pure Land eventually would become the dominant form of Buddhism in East Asia. About the year 500, an Indian sage named Bodhidhar…
North and South Reunite
- Northern and southern China reunited in 589 under the Sui emperor. After centuries of separation, the two regions had little in common other than Buddhism. The emperor gathered relics of the Buddha and had them enshrined in stupas throughout China as a symbolic gesture that China was one nation again.
The T'ang Dynasty
- The influence of Buddhism in China reached its peak during the T'ang Dynasty (618 to 907). Buddhist arts flourished and monasteries grew rich and powerful. Factional strife came to a head in 845, however, when the emperor began a suppression of Buddhism that destroyed more than 4,000 monasteries and 40,000 temples and shrines. This suppression dealt a crippling blow to C…