Biography of Hu Yuan -- Chinese Thinkers Biography Series

Author: Cao Hong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-05-01
Features: Huayan was one of the most renowned monks in the early history of Chinese Buddhism. In the early stage, he followed Da'an, and their teacher-student bond was hailed as a fine example of promoting the Dharma. Later, he established Donglin Temple on Mount Lu, making it a center of Buddhist learning and scholarship in the southern region. He keenly and actively utilized the conditions for the development of Buddhism at the time, inviting foreign monks skilled in Abhidharma studies, such as Sanghadeva, to the mountain to translate scriptures. He also engaged in written correspondence with the northern monk Gunabhadra, actively focusing on the cutting-edge theoretical issues in the eastward transmission of Buddhism. Furthermore, he addressed the contradictions and crises arising from the interaction between foreign Buddhism and traditional Chinese thought and customs with profound personal strength and theoretical depth. His achievements in spreading the Dharma and his intellectual explorations represented some important historical steps in the development of Buddhism in the late Eastern Jin Dynasty. The practice of reciting the name of Amida and making vows, which he advocated, also holds a foundational significance for the flourishing of Chinese. The influence of Huayan's thoughts, erudition, and character was profound and far-reaching, extending even to countries like Korea and Japan.