Pure Land Buddhism: An Overview -- Buddhist Schools Series

Author: Yingwu, Zhengxin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: Buddhism was introduced to China during the Han Dynasty. Through the transmission and inheritance during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, it evolved into the Sui and Tang periods, long interacting and integrating with Chinese culture, giving rise to numerous Buddhist schools with Chinese characteristics. These schools, like a variety of flowers competing in beauty, have made the Buddhist garden colorful and vibrant. The "" () in Buddhism refers to a group of practitioners who share the same beliefs. Different schools each have their own practice systems established based on their fundamental views. The "" (branch) refers to further sub-branches that develop from the schools. After Buddhism entered China, its influence grew increasingly significant. However, it never formed a complete system. For thousands of years, the propagation of Buddhism has always followed the principle of being in harmony with reason and opportunity. Today, China has entered a great process of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society. The governance of the country combines rule of law with rule of virtue, ushering in a peaceful era with exceptional opportunities. As Zhao Puyu (Zhao Puchu) poetically put it, "A rare opportunity in a thousand years meets a prosperous age—may Buddhist affairs aid cultural governance." We hope that Buddhist scholars can better promote the Party's policy of religious freedom and the positive ideas and spirit in Buddhist teachings that contribute to national unity, social progress, people's happiness, and national unity to religious followers. By guiding them to actively participate in safeguarding the interests of the people, national unity, and national unity, they can make positive contributions to the development of the western region and the comprehensive construction of a moderately prosperous society.