Buddhism Basics in China

Author: Yang Zengwen, Editor-in-Chief, Institute of Buddhist Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: This is a popular book on Buddhism, briefly introducing the historical development of Buddhism, its introduction to China, major sects and core doctrines, monastic organizations and their main systems, precepts, Buddha, Bodhisattvas, ghosts and gods, celestial beings, famous temples and mountains in Chinese Buddhism, major festivals, Buddhist culture, Buddhist scriptures, and cultural exchanges between Chinese and foreign Buddhism. It helps you gain a preliminary understanding of Buddhist culture and promote the traditional culture of our country.
Buddhism originated in ancient India and has been in China for over two thousand years. After its introduction to China, Buddhism underwent a long period of integration with traditional Chinese culture and religious customs, evolving into one of the religions of the Chinese nation and becoming an important part of traditional culture. It has had a profound and far-reaching impact on Chinese history and culture. The introduction of Buddhism to China is a significant event that deserves solemn commemoration, and it is necessary to carefully summarize the valuable experience of absorbing foreign cultures within the national context, drawing lessons from the successful cases of Buddhist sinicization. These lessons can serve as a reference for us today to absorb all advanced cultures from around the world and advance the construction of socialist modernization while flourishing national culture.
This article briefly outlines the author's thoughts on the introduction of Buddhism to China and its relationship with traditional culture, serving as the preface to this book.