What Was The Classic Chinese Objection To Buddhism?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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One of Han Yu’s particular objections to Buddhism was that

it encouraged people to engage in unhealthy practices of bodily mortification

. (We can see from the example of Fazang that this charge is not without merit.)

Why did some Chinese object to Buddhism?

Social reasons: Confucian intellectuals such as Han Yu railed against Buddhism for undermining the social structure of China. They

claimed it eroded the loyalty of son to father

, and subject to ruler, by encouraging people to leave their families and to become monks and nuns.

What did the Chinese think of Buddhism?

Chinese Buddhists believe in

a combination of Taoism and Buddhism

, meaning they pray to both Buddha and Taoist gods. Just like Taoists, Chinese Buddhists also pay homage to their ancestors, with the belief that they need and want their help.

Who opposed Buddhism in China?

One of the largest anti-buddhist persecutions was in 845 and was initiated by Taoist Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty. This has become known as the Great Buddhist Persecution. During the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism was flourishing greatly and monasteries were not taxed. In 843, China was at conflict with

Uyghur tribes

.

What made the Chinese willing to accept Buddhism?

Ch’en thought that Buddhism went through a gradual process of Sinicization. The Chinese were willing to accept this belief system

because it fit with beliefs and practices they already had

, such as Daoism.

How did Buddhism impact Chinese culture?

As Buddhism brought to China new thought and ideas, it

promoted the development of Chinese philosophy, ethics, language, literature, arts, religions

, popular belief etc. On the other hand, as Buddhism is not a cultural bound religion, it also makes use of and adapts to the local culture and thought.

Do Chinese believe in Buddhism?

China has the world’s largest Buddhist population, with an estimated 185–250 million practitioners, according to Freedom House.

Though

Buddhism originated in India, it has a long history and tradition in China and today is the country’s largest institutionalized religion.

How did Buddhism reach China?

It was brought to

China by Buddhist monks from India during the latter part of the Han dynasty

(ca. 150 CE) and took over a century to become assimilated into Chinese culture. … Over time Buddhism became a popular force in the lives of the Chinese, from the common people to the emperor himself.

Why did ancient China not like Buddhism?

There were several components that led to opposition of Buddhism. One factor is the

foreign origins of Buddhism

, unlike Taoism and Confucianism. Han Yu wrote, “Buddha was a man of the barbarians who did not speak the language of China and wore clothes of a different fashion.

What conflicts happened between Buddhism and Confucianism in China?

Over the course of two millennia of close interaction in China, Confucians and Buddhists

clashed on issues ranging from bowing to the emperor and one’s parents to the foreign ancestry and routines of the Buddhist faith

.

Are most Chinese Buddhist?

National surveys conducted in the early 21st century estimated that some 80% of the population of China, which is more than a billion people, practice some kind of Chinese folk religion;

13–16% are Buddhists

; 10% are Taoist; 2.53% are Christians; and 0.83% are Muslims.

Why was the spread of Buddhism in China initially met with resistance?

Chinese Buddhism encountered resistance from Confucianism and Taoism, and

opposition from the government

, which was threatened by the growing power of the tax-exempt sangha. The great persecution by the emperor Wu-tsung (845) dealt Chinese Buddhism a blow from which it never fully recovered.

When did China ban Buddhism?

The Four Buddhist Persecutions in China were the wholesale suppression of Buddhism carried out on four occasions

from the 5th through the 10th century

by four Chinese emperors, during the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Tang and Later Zhou dynasties.

How did Buddhism affect culture?


Buddhism laid emphasis on non-violence and the sanctity of animal life

. … The Hindus were originally meat eaters but due to the influence of Buddhism became vegetarian. Thus Buddhism exercised a tremendous influence on India culture. It enriched religion, art, sculpture, language and literature of India.

What was the impact of Buddhism?


Buddhism gave the greatest jolt to the orthodox Brahamism

. Buddhism exercised profound influence in shaping the various aspects of Indian society. It developed a popular religion without any complicated, elaborate and unintelligible rituals requiring necessarily a priestly class.

What religion is banned in China?

China is officially an

atheist state

and Communist Party members are banned from believing in or practicing any faith; there is concern that religion can function as an alternative to Communism and thus undermine loyalty to the government.

Was Buddha Indian or Chinese?

According to the Buddhist tradition, Gautama was born in Lumbini, now in modern-day Nepal, and raised in Kapilavastu, which may have been either in what is present-day Tilaurakot, Nepal or Piprahwa, India.

What caused Buddhism to spread?

Buddhism spread across Asia

through networks of overland and maritime routes between India, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and China

. … Anonymous foreign monks who traveled between India and China along the silk routes were responsible for the transmission of Buddhism at sub-elite levels.

Did Buddha went to China?

Buddhism first

reached China from India roughly 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty

. It was probably introduced to China by Silk Road traders from the west in about the 1st century CE. … Buddhism, on the other hand, emphasized entering the monastic life to seek a reality beyond reality.

What happened when the cultures of China mixed?

There northern Chinese culture mixed with more southern cultures. As a result of this mixing, Chinese culture changed. …

Reunified China after centuries of political confusion

. For about 700 years, it remained unified under a series of dynasties.

How did Buddhism affect the government?

Politics has always been part of Buddhism. … In the realm of political practice, since the time of the historical Buddha, Siddhattha Gotama (Sanskrit, Siddhārtha Gautama),

Buddhism has both influenced governments

and been identified by governments as a source of their authority and legitimacy.

Is Buddha a Chinese god?

Budai showTranscriptions Second alternative Chinese name Chinese 胖佛 Literal meaning Fat Buddha

What religion is in Korea?

Religion in South Korea is diverse. A slight majority of South

Koreans have no religion

. Buddhism and Christianity are the dominant confessions among those who affiliate with a formal religion. Buddhism and Confucianism are the most influential religions in the lives of the South Korean people.

Which country has no religion?

Country
Netherlands
Unaffiliated % 44.30% Unaffiliated 7,550,000 2021 Population 17,173,099

Who was opposed to the spread of Buddhism in India?

The practice of Buddhism as a distinct and organized religion lost influence after the Gupta reign (c. 7th century CE), and the last state to support it, the Pala Empire, fell in the 12th century. It was challenged by the increased popularity of

Hinduism

and the rise in the socio-political influence of the Brahmins.

How do Buddhists spread Buddhism?

Ashoka promoted Buddhist expansion by

sending monks to surrounding territories

to share the teachings of the Buddha. A wave of conversion began, and Buddhism spread not only through India, but also internationally. … Today there are approximately 350 million Buddhists in the world.

What impact did Buddhism have on China and Japan?

Buddhism also brought with it a

political structure

, advanced technologies, and sophisticated cultural practices—including music, dance, a new writing system, and above all, elaborate Buddhist art—that would revolutionize many aspects of Japanese life.

What were the three questions that Shinto failed to answer but that Buddhism addressed?

Whereas Shinto was generally life-affirming and flexible about human conduct (except in matters of purity), Buddhist philosophy provided a moral framework for the universe and addressed questions about

death, reincarnation, and punishment for wrongdoing

that Shinto failed to answer in detail.

What problems did Buddhism face?


awareness, lack of skills, lack of job opportunities, high birth rates, and rampant corruption

. the poverty-related problems. Would Buddhism benefit more people if it is not presented as a religion?

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.