EARLY BUDDHISM IN CHINA
44.1 White Horse
Temple
Though there were several historical records, showing the knowledge of
Sakayamuni Buddha and Buddhism as early as the time of Confucius, the beginning
of Buddhism was officially recognised to be in the first century.
Later Han Dynasty 25 A.D., Emperor Ming in Han Dynasty saw a golden figure
of 16 feet high in the dream. He was puzzled after he woke up. The ministers
told him that it matched with a prophecy in 1000 years ago regarding the
teaching of a great saint from the west to China.
The Emperor then dispatched 12 officials to the west, who eventually
came across two Indian Bodhisattvas, Kashyapa Matanga and Dharmaratna.
They agreed to go to China with them. When they returned to the
capital of Han Dynasty, Loyang, they brought with a picture of Sakayamuni
Buddha and some sutras, on a white horse. There they started to
translate the sutra in a temple, later called White Horse Temple.
They translated 5 sutras, but only one still exists, i.e. "Sutra
in 42 sections".
It was the first time that Buddhism was recognised by the government as
an official religion in China. Thus Buddhism started to build up its foundation
and organisation. Though Buddhism was well respected and worshipped by the
King and his officials, it was also critized by the traditional Taoists
in many areas. At that time, the Taoists requested the Emperor Ming to compare
Buddhism and Taoism by burning their sutras in the courtyard of White Horse
Temple. Emperor agreed. When the fire was set, the Taoist Sutras was burnt
to ash, while the Buddhist sutras was illuminating. At that time, both Kashyapa
Matanga and Dharmarathna showed their psychic power in the sky. After all,
there were 628 Taoists converted to Buddhists at once. Some officials and
nobles requested to become ordained monks and nuns. Emperor Ming ordered
to construct ten temples inside and outside Loyang. From that time, Buddhism
spread widely in China.
44.2 Controversy
in the Development of Buddhism
Following the decline of Han Empire in 220 A.C., Buddhism in China was
ironically more popular, spreading more widely in China in the chaotic political
situation. The traditional and official Conficism was no longer credible,
and the mystical Taoism was overrided by the intellectural Buddhism. The
profound teachings on the Four Noble Truths, the Three Seals, the Law of
Dependent Origination inspired many intellectural and cultured elites in
China.
Buddhism also gained its popularity in ground root class because the peasants
were often suppressed by the landlords and suffered under the burden of
heavy taxes. The need for spiritual consolation was obvious. Some peasants
retreated to Buddhist temples to make offerings or go on pilgrimage.
Chinese Buddhism was developed into two different directions, one was sophisticated
and philosophical and the other was superstitious and religious. Moreover,
like all other religions, Chinese Buddhism often blended with other traditions
and religions, which ultimately produced its own characteristics and features.
Buddhism originated in India, but flourished in China. People who are interested
in the study of ancient Buddhism always make reference to the Chinese books.
For instance, some sutras in Sanskrit or Bali are lost, but they still exist
in Chinese version. Moreover, the history of four great holy places in India
can only be found in the writings of a Chinese monk Huan-zang.
Apart from Emperor Ming in Han Dynasty, there were many emperors in China,
who were great patrons in Buddhism, e.g. Emperor Wu in Lang Dynasty, Emperor
Wu Ji-tian in Tang Dynasty. Buddhism was generally well-respected and supported
by the emperors because it served as a moral framework for stability of
the society. However, there were also emperors who suppressed Buddhism e.g.
Emperor Tai Wu in North Wei Dynasty, Emperor Wu in North Zhou Dynasty, Emperor
Wu in Tang Dynasty, Emperor Shi in Late Zhou of Five Dynasties (907-960
A.D.).