Mahayana Buddhism in China: 1st-10th Centuries

The Arrival in China (1st-6th c.)

According to tradition, Buddhism arrived in China around the 1st century CE. In 67 CE, the monks Yicun and Kasyapa Matanga arrived with the first texts.

The Great Translators

An Shigao (148-180)

Translated the first Buddhist text into Chinese.

Kumarajiva (344-413)

Translated the Heart Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, and other fundamental texts.

Xuanzang (602-664)

Translated more than 1,300 Buddhist texts. His journey to India (629-645) is one of the great journeys of history.

The Chinese Schools

Chán (Zen)

Founded by Bodhidharma (ca. 440-528), based on the practice of zazen.

Tiantai

Founded by Zhiyi (538-597), based on the Lotus Sutra.

Huayan (Kegon)

Based on the Avatamsaka Sutra.

Jingtu (Pure Land)

Based on the Amitabha sutras.

The Tang Golden Era (7th-9th c.)

During the Tang dynasty, Buddhism reached its peak in China.

The Wuzong Persecution (845)

The Wuzong emperor of Tang persecuted Buddhism in 845. He destroyed more than 4,600 monasteries.

The Development of Chán

The Sixth Patriarch Huineng (638-713)

Huineng is considered the last patriarch of Chán in China and the founder of Southern Chán. His teaching of "sudden enlightenment" deeply influenced Chán and then Japanese Zen.

Expansion to Vietnam, Korea, Japan

Buddhism spread to these countries from China.

Sources

• Edward Ch'en: Buddhism in China
• Kenneth Ch'en: The Chinese Transformation of Buddhism
• John Strong: The Buddha: A Short Biography