Chinese Buddhism: Origins and Early Diffusion

• Buddhism originated from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in northern India between 600 and 400 BC.
• Chinese Buddhism is interpreted through Chinese religious philosophies.
• China was among the first countries outside India where Buddhism spread.

Arrival and Early Diffusion

• Buddhism was introduced to China during the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD).
• Scholars suggest Buddhism arrived in China in the 1st century AD via Emperor Ming (28-75 AD), who sent an envoy to India.
• Dharmaratna and Kasyapa Matanga, two Buddhist monks, returned with scriptures.
• Increased trade on the Silk Road and ocean routes between China and India aided the spread of Buddhism
• Buddhist statues, temples, and carvings were built across China.
• The translation of texts from Sanskrit into Chinese was crucial for its diffusion.
• The Dharmaguptaka school of Buddhism was especially important
• The fall of the Han Dynasty and the rise of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, along with support from the Xianbei tribe further aided in the acceptance of Buddhism.

Influence of the Tang Dynasty

• Buddhism rapidly spread and heavily influenced Chinese culture between 694 AD and 840 AD.
• Buddhist symbols appeared in arts and schools.
• Empress Wu Zetian ordered the building of Buddha statues throughout China.
• Large Buddha statues were carved into cave walls and along major rivers.
• Prominent sites include the Longmen Grottoes, the Yungang Grottoes, and the Mogao Caves.
• Leshan Buddha, built-in 713 AD by the monk Haitong, stands 233 feet high.

Key Figures

• Emperor Ming sent envoys to collect Buddhist scriptures from India.
• Dharmaratna and Kasyapa Matanga were the monks who brought Buddhism to China.
• Xuanzang (629 AD - 645 AD) studied Buddhism in India and brought back texts, relics, and prayer objects.
• Xuanzang translated approximately 657 Buddhist texts into Chinese, standardizing its teachings.
• Emperor Xiaowen (5th century AD) supported the building of Buddhist structures.
• Emperor Wu of Lian (6th century AD) adopted Buddhism and funded temple construction.
• Lokaksema was a pioneer in translating Buddhist texts into Chinese.
• Chang'an, the Tang capital, became a major Buddhist translation center.

Impact on Chinese Society and Culture

• Buddhism influenced Chinese society, culture, religion, art, literature, architecture, and thought.
• Temples became common, teaching moral values, chants, and meditation.
• Social customs, holidays, and literature incorporated Buddhist festivals, stories, and values.
• Chinese architecture and art were influenced by Buddhist symbols and icons.

Long-Term Impact

• Chinese Buddhism is currently the largest institutionalized religion in mainland China.
• Buddhism has affected Chinese cultural views towards ethics, morality, and the individual.
• The belief in karma promotes social responsibility
• Chinese Buddhism is interpreted through Chinese religious philosophies and tolerance and combines with Taoism and Confucianism.

Decline During the Tang Dynasty

• Buddhist monasteries accumulated wealth through "devotions", leading to the construction of thousands of temples and monasteries
• Emperor Wuzong (9th century AD) suppressed Buddhism, viewing it as a foreign influence, Monks were seen avoiding taxes and civic duties.
• Wuzong ordered the destruction of around 4,000 monasteries and 40,000 temples.
• 250,000 Buddhist monks were stripped of their status.
• Buddhist relics were melted down.
• The persecution ended after Wuzong's death, but monasteries never regained their former status.
• Buddhism remains one of the five sanctioned religions in the People's Republic of China.

Buddhism, originating in India, spread to China during the Han Dynasty. Trade routes like the Silk Road facilitated its diffusion, leading to the construction of temples and translation of texts. The Dharmaguptaka school played a key role in its early development.