Buddhism Mini Encyclopedia (History)

Author: Ye Luhua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Explores the footsteps of Sakyamuni's enlightenment and preaching, and traces the rise and fall of Buddhism in China. Chinese Buddhism possesses a rich history and cultural heritage, which cannot be compared to any Buddhist country in the world today. From the perspective of the development and spread of Buddhism, its dissemination from India to various parts of the world primarily follows two routes: the Southern Transmission and the Northern Transmission. The Southern Transmission is primarily based on Pali scriptures, while the Northern Transmission is primarily based on Sanskrit scriptures. The Northern Transmission can further be divided into two major branches: the Sinitic branch and the Tibetan branch. Chinese Buddhism encompasses all three systems of Han, Tibetan, and Pali Buddhist traditions within both the Southern and Northern Transmissions. Buddhism has developed in China for over two thousand years, exerting a profound influence on all aspects of Chinese society, including politics, economy, thought, culture, and folk customs. The ideological and cultural heritage of Buddhism has become an integral part of China's traditional thought and culture, and Buddhist art is a treasure in the artistic treasury of the Chinese nation. In contemporary times, China is entering a new historical period of development. Alongside economic and political progress, cultural development is also a mission bestowed upon us by the times. Cultural development includes inheriting and promoting the outstanding cultural heritage of the nation's history, which naturally includes the excellent legacy of Chinese Buddhist culture. We have the responsibility and obligation to organize and study this cultural heritage left by our ancestors, enabling it to play a new role under today's social conditions.