The History of Buddhism in China

[cnfolkculture]

The history of Buddhism in China is a complex story of importation, assimilation and transformation of a foreign religion. Buddhism reached China from India by the first century but did not flourish until the Six Dynasties Period (220 BC -- 89 AD) when political and economic turmoil encouraged its full acceptance. Under these conditions, the religion's emphasis on personal salvation and renunciation of worldly ties, coupled with monk-sponsored welfare projects, attracted devotees from several social strata.

Buddhism sometimes prospered under imperial patronage; however, its foreign origin led other rulers to sponsor major persecution. The faith survived these periodic challenges and continues to flourish today. According to Chinese historians, Mahayana Buddhism--the most prominent branch in China--played a key role in shaping Chinese civilization and the latter also had a profound impact on the manner in which Buddhism was transformed in China. Buddhism's influence grew to such an extent that vast amounts of financial and human resources were expended on creation and establishment of impressive works of art and elaborate shrines. (http://www.chinesefolkculture.com)

[shunyadragon]

The history of Buddhism in China is a complex story of importation, assimilation and transformation of a foreign religion. Buddhism reached China from India by the first century but did not flourish until the Six Dynasties Period (220 BC -- 89 AD) when political and economic turmoil encouraged its full acceptance. Under these conditions, the religion's emphasis on personal salvation and renunciation of worldly ties, coupled with monk-sponsored welfare projects, attracted devotees from several social strata. (http://www.chinesefolkculture.com)

Buddhism sometimes prospered under imperial patronage; however, its foreign origin led other rulers to sponsor major persecution. The faith survived these periodic challenges and continues to flourish today. According to Chinese historians, Mahayana Buddhism--the most prominent branch in China--played a key role in shaping Chinese civilization and the latter also had a profound impact on the manner in which Buddhism was transformed in China. Buddhism's influence grew to such an extent that vast amounts of financial and human resources were expended on creation and establishment of impressive works of art and elaborate shrines. (http://www.chinesefolkculture.com)

Even though Buddhism was assimilated, somewhat transformed, and diversified in China, China never became Buddhist, nor did relatively large numbers of Chinese become exclusively Buddhist. It sort of became a part of the quadrangle of the Chinese belief system with Taoism, Conficianism, and the primal Neolithic beliefs. In China the essential roots are still in the primal religions of the Neolithic Ages. China (to a lesser extent the oriental cultures like Korea and Japan) is some what unique in that strong relationships with Neolithic primal religions still remain in Chinese Culture.

Even though I studied Buddhism intensely growing up, and remain close to Buddhist philosophy and in spirit, I always found Budddhism still an anchronism of the past in the modern world, like other ancient world views like Judaism, Christianity, Vedic traditions, and Islam.

[Paintbucket]

Tibet is heavily Buddhist, correct? Even though they're a little different from the rest of China, they still have a good deal of it. Perhaps the strong traditional drive is what kept China from embracing Christianity and closing the nation (except for Hong Kong/Macao) to the west during the early modern period, and why China has few Christians.

India has more Muslims than anyone in the world (except for Indonesia maybe), despite the fact that more Indians are Hindu and Islam's holy sites are in the Near East away from India. Perhaps there is a parallel there.

[Nicholas]

Tibet is heavily Buddhist, correct? Even though they're a little different from the rest of China, they still have a good deal of it. Perhaps the strong traditional drive is what kept China from embracing Christianity and closing the nation (except for Hong Kong/Macao) to the west during the early modern period, and why China has few Christians.

India has more Muslims than anyone in the world (except for Indonesia maybe), despite the fact that more Indians are Hindu and Islam's holy sites are in the Near East away from India. Perhaps there is a parallel there.

Actually, you are more or less right on when it comes to why China and other regions didn't accept Christianity. They had long religious traditions and new religions weren't able to gain a foothold. Even in India, where Buddhism originated, it isn't very widespread because of the strong tradition with Hinduism.