In China, Buddhism has been developing for more than twenty years. The majority of the Chinese population is devoted to this spirituality. But what are the precepts of Buddhism?
How did Buddhism convince the Chinese?
Historical dates of Buddhism in China
Buddhism has been spreading in China for decades and has evolved since the 1949s. For several years, the Buddhist religion has faced several challenges, including the more serious was the lack of financial resources. It was only a few years later, in the 1980s, that countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia helped rebuild monasteries and temples to revive the Chinese Buddhism.
The Secular Chinese are becoming interested in Buddhism again and returned to Buddhist practices and rituals in the mid-1990s. According to the results of the Chinese secular census, about 20% of adults are identify as Buddhist. Although this percentage is small, it only includes those surveyed. Indeed, Buddhist conversion in China is not formal enough. In addition, Mahayana Buddhism currently has more than one hundred million lay people. The number of employees has increased significantly since 2003.
Entry of Buddhism into China
Buddha has always been seen as a unique and golden character. In the first century CE, Emperor Ming of the Han dynasty asked Buddhist missionaries arriving in China to bring back Buddhist texts. This is why the expansion of Buddhism in the country is spontaneous and gradual and offers a new vision of life through salvation. The religion was very quickly adopted by the Chinese.
Thus in the 2nd century of the same period, the first Buddhist sanctuaries were established and documented. The monks and nuns of the shrines were from Central Asia. Two centuries later, from the 4th century, Buddhism became the most powerful religious institution in China.
Rise of Buddhism in China
The rise in power of this religion has been highlighted for several decades in China. The history of Chinese Buddhism is incredible. Beginning in the 5th century CE, a canonical translation society was responsible for translating Chinese Buddhist texts into Central Asian and Indian languages. These translated texts are still visible in Chinese monasteries and are seen as sacred heritage. This led to theopening of Buddhist schools of thought, which continues to this day.
Buddhism is considered the main monastic and religious institution of Chinese society. Monks and nuns ensure the sharing of values and the dissemination of Buddhist ideas. This revolution in Chinese Buddhism is the subject of religious tourism in China. Therefore, the popularity of the religion goes beyond other religions such as Taoism and Christianity.
General information about Buddha and Buddhism
Guatama Siddhartha, lived several decades before our era. Known as Buddha, he serves as a reference in Buddhist spirituality. After its enlightenment, it served as a landmark and anchor for Buddhists. Being the Enlightened One, he taught the truths that he discovered during his deep meditation under the pagoda of the fugitives. Over the past thirty years, there have been increasing numbers of Buddhist followers and practitioners. Buddhism is a spirituality based on several principles such as life, salvation, law, reality and change.
Each principle has a purpose, meaning and significance. Nevertheless, all these four precepts form the universe of Buddhism. Since the time of Buddha, 2,500 years ago, Buddhism has spread throughout the world and this diffusion has even become borderless.
Nirvana in Buddhism
Nirvana is the main goal of Buddhists. The realization of such truth is their raison d'être and their inspiration. Nirvana is defined as the state of Buddha when he is awakened, that is, when he has been illuminated under the bodhi tree. He is the only being of his time to have undergone the cycle of samsara, because at the moment of his death he ceased to be born and reborn. This is why it is said that he reached nirvana before dying. It is irrefutable proof of the possibility of nirvana. According to his teaching, knowing oneself is the principal means by which man can achieve this.
Then there is self-acceptance and apprehension of one's own suffering whatever its nature. Therefore, knowing the causality of our suffering is also an imperative in nirvana. It is worth remembering that attachments and desires are usually the cause of our suffering. To take into account this contextual stress, it would be easier for us to get rid of anxiety, anxiety and all kinds of problems like that.
The main currents of Buddhism
The diffusion of Buddhism and practices linked to this spirituality has increased over the last fifty years. Well-being, wisdom and peace are the sources of motivation for new members and followers. Here are the main currents of Buddhism which are still present today:
- Theravada: Also known as hinayana, this first category of Buddhism is none other than its traditional form. Some Buddhists call it "the small vehicle" because the practices and rituals undertaken by countries like Ceylon, Laos, Burma, Indonesia, Cambodia, Nepal and Thailand are conform to the original, that is to say the time of the Buddha.
- Mahayana: this second category of Buddhism known as “The Great Vehicle” is a fusion of Buddhist practices >traditionals and modern Buddhism. It adapts to the different cultures and socio-cultural practices of today. Mahayana consists of Vajrayana – practices centered on “Dhâranis” or magical formulas, “Mudrâs” or magical signs and “Mandâras” or magical prayers –; of the Pure Land – recitation of the name of Buddha Amithaba and practices done with the rosary –; and Dhyana –“Zen” Buddhism focused on meditation–.
