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.
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.).
