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44-603: The Dharma Hall , also known as Lecture Hall , is an important building in Han Chinese Buddhist temples. The Dharma Hall is the place for senior monks to preach and generally ranks right after the Mahavira Hall . With the similar architecture form with other halls, the Dharma Hall is more spacious. In the central back, there is a high platform with a sitting chair putting in the middle. In front of

88-692: A few monastics. The most prestigious monasteries have support from rich elites, and the smallest are usually in small villages. The Chinese word 纯净素 (chún jìng sù ) meaning pure Buddhist Vegan/ Vegetarian is widely promoted and practiced in Chinese Buddhism. The practice is promoted in various Mahayana sutras, like the 楞伽阿跋多羅寶經 léngqié ābáduōluó bǎojīng . Monastics are often required to be vegetarian or Vegan and other animal products are often banned in Buddhist temples and monasteries. Other dietary restrictions may include avoiding eggs, dairy, and

132-406: A kind of sacred podium. Other important Buddhist rituals are those related to death, which is seen as a key moment for Buddhists who want to attain a good rebirth in the pure land of a Buddha (the most popular being Amitabha's pure land). The focus of these rituals is to keep the dying person free of distractions and offer spiritual support (so they can focus their minds on Amitabha Buddha through

176-422: A number of ancillary halls also house the images of lesser Buddhist divinities, giving residents and visitors alike a wide choice of objects of worship and supplication." Another common structure is a pagoda , which may contain Buddhist relics and statues or images of Buddhas and bodhisattvas. There is a conception of an "impersonal god" in Chinese Buddhism likely inspired by Shangdi . Buddhist monasticism

220-714: A thoroughly Indic foundation for Chinese Buddhist philosophy, which previously had been heavily influenced by Taoist philosophy. By the 460s Buddhism was a mainstream institution in China, and its iconography and art were widely recognized. The Dunhuang and Yungang cave complexes are a great example of early Chinese Buddhist art from this period. Another important translator was Paramārtha ( Zhēndì , 499–569 CE) who along with his team of Chinese disciples translated numerous works on Abhidharma , Yogachara philosophy, and other Mahayana texts. The work of other sixth century translators like Bodhiruci and Ratnamati also contributed to

264-630: Is a sinicized form of Mahāyāna Buddhism , which draws on the Chinese Buddhist Canon (大藏經, Dàzàngjīng , "Great Storage of Scriptures") as well as numerous Chinese traditions. Chinese Buddhism focuses on studying Mahayana sutras and Mahāyāna treatises and draws its main doctrines from these sources. Some of the most important scriptures in Chinese Buddhism include: the Lotus Sutra , the Flower Ornament Sutra ,

308-603: Is an important part of Chinese Buddhism. Chinese Buddhist monastics (both male and female) follow the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya , which is known as the Four Part Vinaya ( Sifen lü ) in China and has 250 rules for monks and 348 for nuns. Buddhist monks and nuns perform numerous religious practices and services, including offerings to altars, liturgical services, circumambulating the Buddha hall, preaching

352-524: Is the use of mantras and dhāraṇī s , such as the popular Mahā Karuṇā Dhāraṇī and the Cundī Dhāraṇī . Robert Gimello has also observed that in Chinese Buddhist communities, the esoteric practices of Cundī enjoyed popularity among both the common people and the elite. Various Mahāyāna Buddhist deities are venerated in Chinese Buddhism, most of which are Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Some of

396-613: The Vimalakirtī Sutra , the Nirvana Sutra , and the Amitābha Sutra . As such, Chinese Buddhism follows the classic Mahāyāna Buddhist worldview, which includes a belief in many realms of existence , the existence of many Buddhas and bodhisattvas , as well as many other kinds of divine beings, ghosts, and so on. Chinese Buddhism also upholds classic Mahayana Buddhist doctrines like karma ( 報應 ) and rebirth ( 超生 ),

440-459: The Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) and the religion was present in China at the beginning of the common era. Buddhist missionaries made use of both the overland Central Asian Silk Road and the maritime routes. Initially Buddhism was poorly understood and often confused with and mixed with Taoism. The Chinese saw many similarities between the two religions. There was also much criticism leveled at

484-567: The Kuchan scholar Kumārajīva (334–413 CE) was a key event. Unlike the previous translators, Kumārajīva was supported by the state and given the title of national preceptor. The numerous high quality translations of his translation team had a great impact on Chinese Buddhism. He is also known for introducing the Madhyamaka school of Buddhist philosophy, which would later be called Sanlun (the "Three Treatise school"). His work also established

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528-680: The Longmen Grottoes , also attest to the artistic vibrancy of Chinese Buddhism at this time. A famous proponent of Buddhism during the Tang era was empress Wu Zetian (r. 690–705) and she is known for her promotion of the Longmen cave complex . She also depicted herself as a bodhisattva. The next important event in the history of Chinese Buddhism was the arrival of Subhakarasimha , Vajrabodhi , and Amoghavajra , and their establishment of Chinese Esoteric Buddhism from 716 to 720, during

572-524: The bodhisattva path, and the doctrines of emptiness , buddha-nature , and the one vehicle . When it comes to Buddhist philosophy , Chinese Buddhism contains various doctrinal traditions, the most important being the Tiantai, Huayan , Sanlun , and Weishi schools of thought. These different doctrinal traditions developed their own scriptural commentaries and treatises and also various doctrinal classifications ( panjiao ), which hierarchically ordered

616-428: The eight precepts , silent meditation, and Dharma lectures . Textual practices are also commonly practiced by monks and laypersons. These include printing, copying, propagating and reciting Buddhist scriptures, studying Buddhist texts, and attending lectures. Buddhist temples may also have special elements associated with sacred texts, such as lecture halls or dharma halls , libraries, and scripture platforms (施法壇),

660-450: The Buddha's name ( nianfo ), which is the core practice of Pure Land Buddhism , and seated meditation ( zazen ), which is the focus of the Chan tradition. The practice of recitation of the Buddha's name is commonly done in a group setting, sometimes as part of an intensive nianfo recitation retreat, which can last for several days. These retreats might also include chanting sutras, taking of

704-631: The United States, and lectured on both Chan and Huayan teachings. Monks are required to obtain certificates from the authorities that permit them to reside in monasteries. The Buddhist Association of China is the sole official government supervisory organ of Buddhism in the country. It is directed by the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Chinese Buddhism

748-515: The Yogachara texts are where the "third turning" of the Dharma can be found, and thus, represent the final and ultimate teaching of the Buddha. Chinese Buddhism contains a wide array of religious practices and observances. Ritual and devotional practices are commonly seen as generating karmic merit , which can bring about positive results in this life or the next. According to Mario Poceski, for

792-796: The arrival of Christian missionaries to China, a right which had been granted to Western powers after the Opium Wars . During the Republican period (1912–1949), there were various attempts to reform and modernize Chinese Buddhism and to respond to the various challenges of modernity. The most notable of these reformers were the Humanistic Buddhists , like Taixu and Yin Shun . Humanistic Buddhism sought to move away from ritualistic and otherworldly obsessions to embrace more worldly pursuits like education and charitable work. There

836-661: The capital of Luoyang . His work was followed by the extensive Mahayana translations of the Kushan monk Lokakṣema (Ch. 支婁迦讖 , active c.  164 –186 CE), as well as the work of Dharmarakṣa (3rd century). During this early period, the Dharmaguptaka school was very influential in establishing Buddhism in China. This resulted in the widespread adoption of the Dharmaguptaka school's Vinaya (monastic rule) by all Chinese Buddhist schools . The arrival of

880-589: The chair is a table with a small sitting Buddha on it, behind the platform is a screen or a picture of lion which is also known as "Roaring lion" ( 獅子吼 ) in Buddhism Dharma hung on the wall. Seats are placed on both sides of the platform with bells and drums for senior monks to beat when they are preaching. There are also seats on both sides of the monks' seats for laymen to listen to the Buddha Dharma by senior monks. Chinese Buddhism Buddhism

924-564: The dead). According to Chün-fang Yü, the most popular Chinese Buddhist ritual that is most widely performed today is the Great Compassion Repentance associated with Guanyin and the Great Compassion Dharani . Keeping sets of ethical rules, like the classic Buddhist five precepts , are another key part of Buddhist practice. Taking up the ethical precepts in a ceremony, along with taking refuge in

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968-587: The dissemination of Buddhism throughout the East Asian cultural sphere , including Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Chinese Buddhism also developed various unique traditions of Buddhist thought and practice, including Tiantai , Huayan , Chan Buddhism , and Pure Land Buddhism . From its inception, Chinese Buddhism has been influenced by native Chinese religions and philosophy , especially Confucianism and Taoism , but also Chinese folk religion . Buddhist missionaries began bringing Buddhism to China during

1012-795: The end of the Cultural Revolution . Chinese Buddhism suffered extensive repression, persecution, and destruction during the Cultural Revolution (from 1966 until Mao Zedong 's death in 1976). Maoist propaganda depicted Buddhism as one of the Four Olds , as a superstitious instrument of the ruling class and as counter-revolutionary . Buddhist clergy were attacked, disrobed, arrested, and sent to camps. Buddhist writings were burned. Buddhist temples, monasteries, and art were systematically destroyed and Buddhist lay believers ceased any public displays of their religion. During

1056-417: The establishment of a new Chinese Yogacara school , also known as the "Consciousness-Only school" (唯識宗; pinyin: Wéishí-zōng). The 6th and 7th centuries saw a flowering of new and unique Chinese Buddhist traditions, including: During the Tang dynasty, the monk Xuanzang (602–664) journeyed to India and back and wrote extensive and detailed reports of his findings, which have subsequently become important for

1100-415: The images of these holy beings." According to Mario Poceski, Chinese Buddhist temples generally follow a traditional Chinese palace layout. They "consist of a series of halls and courtyards that are arranged symmetrically around a central axis, which usually runs from north to south. The main hall is typically a large building that is centrally located along the main axis. In larger monasteries or temples,

1144-546: The key figures include: Chinese Buddhist temples usually include numerous images and statues of Buddhas and bodhisattvas. They are often ritually carved and installed as part of a consecration ritual that may include chanting and scripture reading. Devotion towards these are a major part of Chinese Buddhism. As Chün-fang Yü writes, "people in China worship Buddhas and bodhisattvas in rituals, write poems and novels about them, praise them in songs and hymns, and tell stories and stage plays about them. And above all else, they worship

1188-643: The mass of Buddhist scriptures in order to advance their school's hermeneutical worldview. For example, according to master Zhiyi's "eight teachings and five periods" classification, the final and supreme teaching of the Buddha is found in the Lotus Sutra and the Nirvana Sutra . According to the Huayan masters like Fazang , the Huayan sutra contains the supreme teaching, while the Weishi school held that

1232-562: The most influential school, with close ties to the imperial government and a highly organized system of temple rank and administration system developed. It was during this time that the classic Five Houses of Chan developed. Many classic Chan texts were written during this era, such as the famed koan collections of the Linji school , like the Blue Cliff Record (1125) and The Gateless Gate (1228). Likewise, during this time,

1276-673: The new foreign religion by the Confucian elites. Centuries after Buddhism originated in India , the Mahayana Buddhism arrived in China through the Silk Route in 1st century CE via Tibet . One of the central tasks of the initial missionaries was the translation of Buddhist texts. The first surviving translations of Buddhist texts into Chinese were those of the 2nd century Parthian An Shigao (Ch. 安世高 ), who worked in

1320-549: The normalization period ( Boluan Fanzheng , 1977 to early 80s) led by Deng Xiaoping , a new revival of Chinese Buddhism began to take place. This was a period which saw the restoration of damaged Buddhist temples like Guoqing Temple and Guanghua Temple , as well as the return of monastic ordination and Buddhist institutions. Monks like Zhenchan (真禪) and Mengcan (夢參), who were trained in the Chan and Huayan traditions, traveled widely throughout China as well as other countries, such as

1364-423: The reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang . This Chinese form of Vajrayana Buddhism now became popular with the elites and by the time of Emperor Daizong of Tang (r. 762–779), its influence among the upper classes was significant. The Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution (841–845) under Emperor Wuzong of Tang greatly impacted and weakened the Buddhist institutions in China. Perhaps the main reason for this persecution

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1408-504: The repetition of the Buddha's name). It is commonly believed that during these rituals one can experience auspicious signs, like visions of Amitabha and bright lights. Pilgrimages to well-known monasteries and sites, like the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains ( Mount Wutai , Mount Emei , Mount Jiuhua , and Mount Putuo ) are also undertaken by monastics and lay practitioners alike. Another popular practice

1452-400: The scriptures, Dharma lectures, ritual meals, and chanting at mealtime, as well as confession and repentance rituals. There have been many different types of monasteries throughout Chinese Buddhist history. There are city monasteries, country monasteries, and monasteries deep in the mountains. Some monasteries may be large and rich, with thousands of monastics, while others are small with just

1496-477: The study of India during this period. Xuanzang also brought back many Buddhist texts and led a translation team which was responsible for many influential Chinese translations of classic Buddhist works. His efforts led to the establishment of the idealistic Yogachara (Consciousness-only) tradition in East Asia. The Tang era was one of the golden ages of Buddhism in China. During this time, a sinicized Buddhism

1540-556: The three jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), is a common way of entering the Buddhist path. Another important set of ethical precepts is the " bodhisattva precepts " of the Brahmā's Net Sutra , which are often practiced by both laity and monastics. Acts of charity or social service ( 結緣 ) are also an important of part of Chinese Buddhist ethics . Another key part of Chinese Buddhism is engaging in Buddhist meditations such as chanting

1584-473: The two dominant Chan schools: Linji and Caodong . At this point in its history, Chinese Buddhism had also become quite eclectic, drawing from all the main Chinese traditions. An example of this is the figure of Hanshan Deqing , one of the great reformers of Chinese Buddhism. Like many of his contemporaries, he advocated the dual practice of the Chan and Pure Land methods. He also directed practitioners in

1628-700: The use of mantras as well as scripture reading. He was also renowned as a lecturer and commentator and was admired for his strict adherence to the precepts. During the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), the imperial court shifted its support to the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Chinese Buddhism suffered much during the various imperial and internal conflicts of the Qing dynasty, especially the devastating Taiping rebellion (December 1850 – August 1864), which saw many temples destroyed and scriptures burned by rebels. This era also saw

1672-446: The vast majority of ordinary Chinese Buddhists, "prevalent expressions of Buddhist piety were (and still are) channeled via a variety of popular modes of worship and ritual observance." Worship services can include Buddhist devotional practices like offerings to an altar (of items like incense, flowers, food, and candles), ceremonial bowing, and extensive liturgies (including repentance ceremonies, rites for good health, and memorials for

1716-452: The works of Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091–1157) developed the silent sitting method of "silent illumination". Both of these traditions of Chan practice were very influential (and remain so) on East Asian Zen Buddhism (including on Japanese Zen , Korean Seon , and Vietnamese Thiền ). The Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) patronized Tibetan Buddhism and thus, during this period there was a steady growth of this tradition in China. A common perception

1760-788: Was also a revival of Chinese Chan by Hsu Yun and Sheng Yen , as well as a revival of Tiantai Buddhism by Dixian and Tanxu (1875 – 1963). After the Chinese Communist Revolution , many Buddhists and monastics followed the Republican exodus to Taiwan . In the latter half of the twentieth century, many new Buddhist temples and organizations were set up by the exiles in Taiwan, including Fo Guang Shan , Dharma Drum Mountain , and Tzu Chi . These organizations also became influential back in Mainland China after

1804-496: Was first introduced to China during the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). It was promoted by multiple emperors , especially during the Tang dynasty (618–907), which helped it spread across the country. The translation of a large body of Indian Buddhist scriptures into Chinese and the inclusion of these translations (along with Taoist and Confucian works) into a Chinese Buddhist canon had far-reaching implications for

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1848-608: Was that this patronage of lamas caused corrupt forms of tantra to become widespread. When the Yuan dynasty was overthrown and the Ming dynasty was established, the Tibetan lamas were expelled from the court, and this form of Buddhism was denounced as not being an orthodox path. During the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), there was a revival of the study of native Chinese traditions like Tiantai, Huayan , and Yogachara, and most monks belonged to

1892-464: Was the Chinese state's need for tax and wealth. The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907–960/979), an era of great political upheaval and civil war, also negatively impacted Chinese Buddhism. Various Chinese Buddhist traditions contracted or died out during this period. The Song dynasty (960–1279) saw the flourishing of Chinese Buddhist culture. During the Song, Chan Buddhism grew to become

1936-459: Was widely accepted and practiced throughout the empire, with many monasteries and temples. Buddhism was popular with all social classes and was very influential on Chinese culture, being more popular and having more followers than Taoism. Buddhist themes can be found in much of the literature of this period, such as in the works of famous poets like Wang Wei (701–761) and Bo Juyi (772 – 846). The various artistic complexes from this period, such as

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