Sunday, December 16, 2012

Buddhism


Buddhism has been around for about 2,000 years in China. China, at the moment has 13,000 plus Buddhist temples and about 200,000 Buddhist monks and nuns. It was introduced by India to China from missionaries and traders along the Silk Road that connected China to Europe in the late Han Dynasty in 202 BC - 220 AD. The Buddhist philosophy split into two main divisions. One of which followed the traditional Theravada Buddhism, which is about strict meditation and a closer reading of the original teachings of Buddha. The other was Mahayana Buddhism. This includes multiple forms such as Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. This type is the one more common in China. Mahayana Buddhism believes in the broader appeal to Buddha's teachings compared to the more abstract philosophical questions posed in Theravada Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhists also accept contemporary buddhas like Amitabha, which Theravada Buddhists don't.

1 comment:

  1. Buddhism is a big part of Chinas history and it still exists today all around the world. Any where you go you can see a temple and monks everywhere. The Chinese have practiced this religion for a while and it is very impressive that people all over the world practice it.

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