Buddhism in China

In the Han dynasty, Buddhism spread into China and soon prospered. Buddhism played an important role in Chinese culture and history. Generally, Buddhism in China can be categorized into Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Southern Buddhism. Han Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism are important divisions of the religion, since they keep many important Buddhist scriptures translatedfrom the Sanskrit editions, which are extinct in India due to demolition happened there many years ago. Names Amitabha!

Han Buddhism

Han Buddhism refers to the Buddhist religion spreading in the Han area of China and blending with Han culture. Buddhism formally spread into China , mainly in the northern Han area during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. -220 A .D), although there are historical records indicating Buddhist missionaries came to China during the Qin Dynasty (221-210 B.C.) In the Three Kingdoms period (220 - 265), outstanding monks and Buddhist scholars launched a large-scale project of sutra translation (the sutras were the Buddhist doctrine). During the Northern and Southern dynasties, since most emperors believed in it, Buddhism grew rapidly despite of much political turmoil and changes of dynasties. In the Northern Wei Dynasty (386 - 534A .D.), the famous Yungang Grotto and Longmen Grotto were artistically hewn from solid rock, and their beauty survives to this day, by this time the Buddhist population amounted to a rapidly growing 2 million followers. During the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 557A .D.), official Buddhist registration listed more than 4 million followers. Many famous foreign monks came to China to promote Buddhism and Chinese monks trekked to India to study and bring back with them many new sutras. After the Sui Dynasty was established, Buddhism restored its power under imperial protection and promotion. Sutra translation continued to boom. Buddhism's golden time was during the Tang Dynasty. Many temples were built and famous monks at home and abroad were invited to translate sutras. Many outstanding Tang monks made unprecedented achievements in the study and research of the Buddhist religion. About this time Buddhism began to split into different sects, some of which later spread into Japan , Korea , Vietnam and Indonesia . It was also during the Tang Dynasty that Buddhism was introduced into Tibet by imperial marriage. By the Song Dynasty, Han Buddhism lost favor due to loss of imperial support. In the Yuan Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, Tibetan Buddhism won imperial favor, while Han Buddhism made a comeback in the Ming Dynasty and revived after the reign of Emperor Kangxi. Han Buddhism belongs to the Mahayana school which, also named Big Vehicle, believes that Buddha did not just point the way and float off into his own nirvana, but continues to offer spiritual help to others seeking nirvana. It is believed that Han Buddhist individuals should behave with altruism and humility. The Mahayana School has 8 main sects: Zen Sect, Tantra Sect, Pureland Sect, Tiantai Sect, Sanlun Sect, Faxiang Sect, Lu Sect and Huayan Sect, of which Zen and Pureland are the most famous. Zen, Chan in Chinese, and Dhyana in Sanskrit, is the most important and influential sect of Han Buddhism. It means to meditate. This sect of Mahayana Buddhism aims to transmit the essence of Buddhism. Zen advocates that the ability to achieve enlightenment is inherent within everyone but lies dormant because of ignorance. It holds that a sudden breaking through of the boundaries of common, everyday, logical thought is the right way. Although Bodhidharma was respected as the founder of Zen Buddhism, it was actually established by Huineng, a successor of Bodhidharma lineage. Later, it split into 2 sects and 7 sub-sects, some of which soon were introduced to Japan and Korea . Today Zen is still very popular among Buddhist followers. Famous Buddhist Holy Mountains include: Mt. Jiuhua ; Mt. Emei ; Mt. Putuo ; and Mt. Wutai . There are so many famous Buddhist temples in China that it is difficult to list the many hundreds of temples here. Interested viewers can find temples in the cities where they are. Staying or visiting by asking their guide or travel agent. Tibetan Buddhism

Buddhism was introduced in Tibet in the 7th century AD under the reign of King Songtsen Gampo (around 617-650 AD). He married Nepalese and Chinese princesses who were both Buddhists. Buddhist influence in Tibetan religion and culture started when they brought with them Buddhist scriptures and statues. During Landama's reign, Buddhism was banned and eradication of the scriptures and statues began until it was restored again in the 10th century AD. Tibetan Buddhism, also called Lamaism, was established in the 10th century AD and gradually became dominant in Tibet . It proliferated into neighboring provinces and countries later and it gradually split into different sects and gained political influence. Tibetan Buddhism is based on Madhyamika and Yogacara which belongs to the Mahayana school. It utilizes symbolic ritual practices of Tantric Buddhism (Vajrayana) and incorporates features of the indigenous Tibetan Bon Religion. Tibetan Buddhism is more mystical than other forms of Buddhism due to Tantric and Bon influences, relying strongly on mudras (ritual postures), mantras (sacred speech), yantras (sacred art) and other initiation rites which are performed in secrecy. Tibetan Buddhism has many sects and sub-sects. The following sects are the most influential ones: The Nyingmapa sect, also known as the Ancient Ones, began around 750 AD with Padmambhava. Its name means "old" because it was the oldest sect in Tibet . The Nyingmapa sect was also called the Red sect because Nyingmapa lamas wore red robes and hats. It has a loose organization and focuses on mantras. The lamas can be married and they usually live in small groups. The sect has kept intact some practices that can also be seen in the indigenous Bon religion. Nyingmapa lamas believe that one's mind is pure and that one can be a Buddha through the Buddhist cultivation, that is, prevention of external disturbances or conflicts. Compared to other Buddhist sects, this sect has the most deities. Famous Nyingmapa monasteries include Mindroling Monastery and Dorje Drak Monastery. The former is well known for its Tibetan calligraphy. Kahdampa is another sect in Tibetan Buddhism. Kahdampa means that Buddha's deeds and teachings should be doctrines of cultivation. It is Atisha's lineage. Its tradition stresses on the scriptures and discipline; although, a few outstanding ones can be imparted with Tantra. The sect believes in samsara and retribution. Its Yoga and Tantra are free from traditional and religious influence. Kahdampa's main monastery is the Ratreng Monastery. It was once the seat of Tibetan government when the Dalai Lamas were young. This sect was later converted to Gelugpa. The Kagyupa sect began with two great teachers, Marpa and Milarepa. The name of this sect means "to teach orally". It focuses on Tantric cultivation. This sect is also known as the white sect because Marpa and Milarepa wore white robes. Unlike the Kahdampa sect, this sect's tradition focuses on the combination of quasi-qigong and Buddhism satori practices. It also advocates asceticism and obedience for individual development. Its doctrines are unique. One important contribution of the Kagyupa sect was the establishment of the tulku (incarnation lama) system wherein an existing lama can provide clues of his future lama embodiment. Kagyupa's principal shrine is the Tsurphu Monastery, which is the seat of Karmapa lama. The Sakyapa sect was named after the Sakya Monastery and was established in 1073 AD. The sect governed the whole of Tibet for some time. Because the wall of the monastery was painted in red, white and black strips, it was colloquially called the colorful sect. Sakyapa's doctrines persuaded people to do good deeds to gain good incarnation in the next samsara. It also teaches the abandonment of an individual's temporal desires to be relieved from pain. Gelugpa, the order of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, is also known as the yellow sect because they wear yellow hats. The sect began with Tsong Khapa, a great Buddhist reformer, in 1407 AD. It absorbed Kahdampa and carried on Atisha's tradition. It stresses on strict discipline and study of the scriptures. The successful reform made by this sect in the 17th century AD left the other sects to play a minor role in Tibetan society. Thus, it was the dominant sect during that time. It has six main monasteries namely: Ganden, Ta'er, Drepung, Labrang, Sera, and Tashilhunpo Monasteries. Wanna know more about Tibetan religon.

Southern Buddhism