China and Buddhism

1. China and Buddhism Ch. 8 Pgs. 388-393

2. The Influence of Buddhism • “Buddhism is by far the most important gift that China received from India…” pg. 388 • Christianity is to ____________________ as Buddhism is to ____________________ • China became a “launching pad” for Buddhism – spreading Buddhism to Korea and Japan • Buddhism faded in India, but grew solid roots in much of East Asia

4. Making Buddhism Chinese • Initially entered Chinese via the silk road • Han dynasty not accepting of Buddhism – found barbaric – believed that Buddhism was at odds with Confucianism = felt monk life – secluded and monastic – was dishonorable towards Chinese family values, enlightenment seemed selfish, individual salvation = selfish • The initial entrance into China, Buddhism was a practice of the foreign merchants and monks living in China

5. Xuan Kong Monastery, China

6. Making Buddhism Chinese • Buddhism grew between 200CE and 800CE – with both elite and popular culture – began with the collapse of the Han Dynasty – violent and fragmented country led people to discredit Confucianism . Buddhism provided comfort – ritual, morality, and contemplation – became a stable aspect of peoples lives in an unstable environment • Appeal to ordinary people = travelers, place of refuge, provided charity, farmers could borrow seed, sick treated, kids educated

8. Translation of Buddhism to Chinese Culture • Dharma = Dao – “the way” • Morality = “filial submission and obedience” • Some Indian concepts were “husband supports wife,” in Chinese Buddhism became “husband controls wife” • Took hold in the Mahayana form – deities, relics, many heavens and hells, and bodhisattvas • Pure Land Buddhism – salvation by faith, not study or meditation – became the most popular Chinese version of the Indian faith

10. Making Buddhism Chinese • Sui and early Tang support of Buddhism – Sui Emperor = Wendi = built monasteries at the bases of China’s 5 sacred mountains – used Buddhism to justify military campaigns • Was never independent of the state – monasteries were required to read Confucian texts – state had control over Buddhism (unlike Christian church in Europe)

13. Losing State Support –Buddhism’s Decline • Challenges from the state 1. The wealth of Buddhism – monks that traded/received goods from along the silk road 2. Origin of Buddhism – from India, not welcome, offensive to Confucianism and Daoism – felt Buddhism undermined the Confucian-based family system • Turning point in the spread of Buddhism = An Lushan rebellion (755-763) = revolt against the Tang, desire to return to “purity” of earlier times – Buddhism became criticized

14. Losing State Support – Buddhism’s Decline • 841-845 – Imperial Decrees – monks and nuns forced to return to normal tax paying citizens, monasteries, shrines destroyed, refused to use gold, silver ,copper, iron, gems to construct their images

15. Buddhism Holds On • Although persecuted, Buddhism did not disappear – played a role in the reformation of Confucianism during the Song dynasty • Buddhism at village level incorporated the honoring of ancestors • Statues included aspects of Confucius, Laozi, and Buddha

16. How did Buddhism regain strength and become one of the most common religions in SE Asia?