Buddhism
indoctrinated China at a time when Confucianism and Taoism were the two
predominant religions prevailing in the country. In the early facet of its
entry, Buddhism could not find much persuasion in China. It was only by the
2nd century AD, the religion could gain the popularity to some extent by the
distinctness of its approach and due to some similarities with Taoism. Later
on the Buddhist religion managed to hold a firm footing and acquired a mass
following.
The arrival of many new Buddhist scholars from the Indian subcontinent and
central Asia, like An Shih-Kao, a Parthinian monk, and Lokakshema, a Kushana
monk from Central Asia, Dharmaraksha in 3rd century AD, Kumarajiva in 4th
century AD, who got a number of Buddhist texts translated into Chinese gave
a driving force to Buddhism that had lot of captivating characteristics
besides a organized approach to the study and race of religion. During the
same period many Buddhist texts were translated from Pali and Sanskrit into
Chinese.
China was blessed by its own eminent Buddhist scholars with extraordinary
vision like Seng-Chao, Tao-Sheng and Fa-hsien who also contributed richly to
the growth of Buddhism China through their translations and knowledge.
Buddhist Educational institutions
Many new schools of Buddhism also emerged in China during this period. Each
school pre-owned its power from some ancient Buddhist text or doctrine. Some
of these schools spread to countries like Korea and Japan and contributed to
the emergence of Buddhism as the predominant religion.
Declining of Buddhism
Despite its prevalence and mass followers, Buddhism lost most of its zest
and intensity by the 20th century with the advent of the Communism. The
Communist government of China endorsed regulations, they put an end to the
practice of religion by abolishing all forms of public worship and shutting
down all the monasteries.
Buddhist
Noble Truths
Buddhism gave credence to People. Buddhist edification is based on the Four
Noble Truths. Buddhist Doctrine foretells about the birth, lust, sufferings
and finally decaying of human body.
Four Noble Truths
First Noble Truth - life bears mental and physical
sickness in form of injuries, aging, dying, fatigue, passion, isolation,
feeling of disappointment, dismay and distress.
Second Noble Truth - Desires are the root cause of all
these suffering and miseries. Ever increasing human desires bring mental
depression that in turns brings physical sufferings and weariness in life.
Third Noble Truth - Sufferings can be brought to an end
when one overpowers his endless lust of materialistic things. He then will
enjoy the life emerging out from the clutches of fear, hatred, anger and
happiness.
Fourth Noble Truth - There is a ‘Noble Eight-Fold
Path’ doctrine, leading to overcome the suffering. The Eight-Fold Path
includes Perfect Understanding, Perfect Thought, Perfect Speech, Perfect
Action, Perfect Livelihood, Perfect Effort, Perfect Mindfulness and Perfect
Concentration.
Following the Principles of Four Noble Truths
By following the Buddhist principles of edification and practicing them, it
helps in developing ethereally into a perfect person. This will lead one, to
the divine path, ultimately attaining contentment in life and also after
life.
Buddhism also encourages law of conduct in life, that includes -‘Five
Precepts’-- Avoid killing, Stealing/ Lying and consuming Alcohol.
Buddhist teaching leads the ways and theories of meditation, rebirth,
intellectual evolution and comparisons. It leads to self-understanding,
instead of blind-less faith.
