Ancient China: How was Buddhism, originally an Indian religion, adapted to Chinese culture - Essay Example

Essay, History and Political Science Topic: Ancient China: How was Buddhism, originally an Indian religion, adapted to Chinese culture? Introduction Adaptation to culture from the religious perspective is the toughest of the options for an individual as well as for the society. Buddhism arrived in China from India through the good work by the missionaries and the supportive role of the traders, the route being the Silk Route, which connected China with Europe. This major development that left deep impact on the cultural life of China shaped during the Han Dynasty rule from 202 BC—220 AD. Though it made the introductory start during the reign of Han Dynasty, it has to wait till the decline of this dynasty to take roots challenging the strict Confucian beliefs. As it happens with most of the religions, there are several divisions within Buddhism. The division that took roots in China was Mahayana Buddhism with further subdivisions like Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism - also known as Lamaism. The social conditions in China were ripe when Buddhism began to spread in China as it directly addressed the concept of human suffering and its possible solutions. After the fall of Han Dynasty, chaotic conditions prevailed in China, resulting in political vacuum. The various states were fighting each other for political and economic control and the country had turned directionless and destination-less. Many ethnic minorities and foreigners in China adopted Buddhism, as they thought it was the best option to distinguish them from the native Chinese. The initial competition of Buddhism was against Taoism, which was the native religion of China. Nevertheless, Taoism is as old as Buddhism. The two systems of beliefs spread together, and they were mutual competitors and they borrowed teachings from each other, with the result many Chinese today practice elements of both the schools of thought. As Buddhism became popular with the people, as the later Chinese rulers converted to Buddhism and the succeeding Sui and Tang Dynasties all adopted Buddhism as their religion. Political maneuvering also contributed to the spread of Buddhism. The foreign rulers of China like the Yuan Dynasty and the Manchus, used religion to justify their rule and connect with the Chinese people. The religion was also used by foreign rulers of China, such as the Yuan Dynasty and the Manchus, to connect with the Chinese and justify their rule. The Machus strived to draw a comparison between Buddhism, a foreign religion, and their own reign as foreign leaders. Buddhism gains foothold in China: One of the most standard figures in Chinese Buddhism is the Bodhisattva Guan Yin (the one who identifies the lamentations of the world). He is a superior being who helps to remove the suffering of the world and he is the important figure in the devotional practices of the Chinese Buddhists and followers of Taoism. Some of the biggest statues of Buddha in the world are in the mainland China. Mount Wutai is the most popular tourist site in Shanxi. Guan Yin means “Observing the Sounds (or Cries) of the (human) World." Apart from China, Guan Yin is highly respected in Asian Cultures thus a cultural affinity is established between China and other Asian countries like, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam etc. He symbolizes the highpoint of mercy, compassion, kindness and love. His mission is to save all children of God and he is the ultimate enlightenment and is destined to become Buddha. Along with the arrival of Buddhism in China in the first century AD, Guan Yin’s worship was also introduced. His representations were masculine in appearance prior to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Since his preaching matched with that of Taoism, it appealed to the hearts of the Chinese people. With the increase in popularity of Buddhism later Chinese rulers converted to Buddhism. Sui and Tang Dynasties embraced Buddhism and declared it as their state religion. The religion was also used by foreign rulers of China, such as the Yuan Dynasty and the Manchus, to connect with the Chinese and justify their rule. The Machus strived to draw a parallel between Buddhism. a foreign religion, and their own reign as foreign leaders. In the article “Buddhist Doctrines and Practices” Patricia Ebrey writes, “Buddhism differed markedly from earlier Chinese religions and philosophies. It was a universal religion appealing to individuals of all countries and all social stations.” (97, n. p.) This being the position, it touched the conscience of the common man, appealed to their imagination and began to spread fast. The structures that contributed to the growth of an institutionalized religion helped for its popularity and disciplined ascendancy in China. Some of those factors were: It had a founding figure in Shakyamuni Buddha, a set of scriptures titled sutras, which are considered to be the records of sermons of Buddha, a system of ardent followers becoming monks and nuns to create an organized church to further spread the mission of Buddha, the accepted belief in karma theory and reward and punishment on the basis of the merit of one’s deeds, the futility of pursuit of secular goals, a solution as to how to transcend the negative traits and evolve into a noble human being—all these appealed to the spiritual aspirants and the numbers of followers of Buddhism steadily grew. Ritual practices and following the scriptural revelations form part of Buddhism. Thus Buddhism appealed to both the common man intellectuals. Getting rid of impurities and by going into the root cause of their origin “and gaining understanding, which lead to sagely enlightenment” (Ebrey, 98, n. p.) was a hearty appeal that caught the imagination of the majority of the people in China. There is a reason why Buddhism appealed to the Chinese masses in that period. The question is not whether or not Confucianism is superior over Buddhism. At the level of Revelations, there is no superior or inferior religion. Confucianism as it was practiced during that time, had certain drawbacks, and thus it lost popularity with the masses. In article “Buddhist Doctrines and Practices” Walen Li quotes Seng Du “Serving the king, as demanded by Confucianism, is to assist in the ruling of one’s country. That cannot be compared with pursuing the Buddhist path for all peoples.” (100.n.p.) Turn the pages of history. Whenever religion and politics interacted actively, more than the desired level, religion and the state have both suffered. The reversal suffered by Confucianism and the ascendancy of Buddhism in China can be attributed to this factor. Buddhism filled the vacuum of isolation of China in more than one area. It was not just the introduction of a new religion superseding the existing social and cultural equations there. Buddhism itself did not basically change traditional Chinese values; the return to Confucianism after the Tang was immediate. This means that the religious edifice can be built or broken by the support or opposition of the ruling hierarchy of the state. But by the time Confucianism began to reassert its influence, Buddhism had already introduced a whole range of new values and images in Chinese culture and the artistic and literary segments of the society got substantial support. The universal message of Buddhism connected Buddhism to other civilizations of the world for the first time in the political, social and religious history of China. Trade flowed through the route opened by Buddhism. Chinese monks became the trade ambassadors between China and other countries of the world, not intentionally though! The absorbing capacity of Buddhism to take into its fold the local belief systems added to its popularity amongst the masses. Buddhist monks freely borrowed ideas from the Taoist beliefs and practices to derive inspiration and their sermons caught the imagination of the masses. The Educational Front and Buddhism The students looked forward to Buddhist literature for practical reasons, for accomplishing their career-oriented goals. They made use of the spacious and quiet Buddhist monasteries for lodging and study purposes. They enjoyed the bliss of solitude and the devotional atmosphere and liked the company of scholars. The peasants adored both Taoist spirits and Buddhist bodhisattvas. They were part of the local support group for the monasteries and shrines and played an important role for Buddhism to take hold in their respective areas. Under Confucianism merchants had no role but Buddhism helped them to play their role in religious activities like construction of monasteries and also augmenting their trade contacts. With Buddhism they were twice-blessed both in the spiritual and secular spheres. Thus the emotional and spiritual appeal cut across all sections of the society. Conclusion: Buddhism stabilized and survived and spread in China mainly because of its adaptability which made it appealing to the Chinese. But it also caused some friction by its challenge to the basic tenets of Confucianism. Some of the fundamental principles which were not acceptable under Buddhism were, craving for solitude, denunciation of all social hierarchy, and preferment for celibacy which was against the natural order. Buddhism was unhelpful to the state, in the sense it did not promote the vested interest of a particular ruler or a dynasty. Emperor Wu Tang persecuted Buddhism in the late ninth century. The process of downward-spiral commenced in China. The Chinese Religion as it stands today is the conglomeration of Neo-Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. The emotional and spiritual appeal of Buddhism engulfed various cultures and societies leaving the impact in one or more areas. Works Cited Ebrey, Patricia (Trans.) Buddhist Doctrines and Practices, n. d Lai, Walen (Trans.) Buddhist Doctrines and Practices, n. d Read More