Buddhism Pt 2

Maudgalyayana (Mulian)

One of the Buddha's disciples famous for rescuing his mother from a hell realm through Buddhist merit and ritual.

Mulian Rescuing His Mother

Popular Buddhist story showing that filial devotion and Buddhism can work together.

Why did Chinese people love the Mulian story?

It reconciled Buddhism with the Confucian value of filial piety by showing a son saving his mother.

Mulian's mother

Was reborn in a realm of suffering because of negative karma.

How did Mulian discover his mother's suffering?

He used supernatural powers gained through Buddhist practice.

Why could Mulian not save his mother alone?

His individual powers were insufficient and he needed the Buddha's guidance.

How does Mulian save his mother?

By making offerings to monks and generating merit that can be transferred to her.

Filial piety in the Mulian story

The story demonstrates that Buddhist devotion can be an expression of family loyalty.

Dunhuang manuscript and Mulian

Important versions of the Mulian story were preserved among the manuscripts discovered at Dunhuang.

Dunhuang

Major Silk Road center where important Buddhist manuscripts were discovered.

Major theme of the Mulian story

Chinese Buddhism adapted itself to Confucian family values.

Chen Yuan

Chinese scholar, Protestant Christian, and president of Fu Jen University who studied Buddhism.

Dates of Chen Yuan

1880-1971.

Fu Jen University

University associated with Chen Yuan and Catholic higher education in China.

Chen Yuan's importance

Known for studying how Buddhism adapted to Chinese society.

Indigenization

The process by which a foreign religion becomes adapted to local culture and traditions.

Chen Yuan and indigenization

Argued that Buddhism became Chinese by absorbing Chinese cultural values.

Example of indigenization

The Mulian story combines Buddhist teachings with Confucian filial piety.

Avalokitesvara

Indian bodhisattva of compassion who became known as Guanyin in East Asia.

Guanyin

East Asian form of Avalokitesvara associated with mercy and compassion.

Guanyin in China

Often depicted as female despite originally being male in Indian Buddhism.

Why did Guanyin become female?

Chinese religious traditions increasingly associated compassion and mercy with feminine qualities.

Guanyin as indigenization

Demonstrates how Buddhist figures changed as Buddhism spread into East Asia.

King Seong of Paekche

Important Paekche ruler associated with the promotion of Buddhism.

King Wideok

Son of King Seong who wished to become a monk but was persuaded to become king.

Dates of King Wideok's reign

554-598.

King Wideok and Buddhism

Represents evidence of genuine royal faith in Buddhism.

King Wideok and Yamato Japan

Promoted Buddhism through diplomatic missions to the Yamato court between 555 and 557.

Importance of Paekche in spreading Buddhism

Served as a major bridge carrying Buddhism from the continent to Japan.

Incense burners in royal tombs

Archaeological evidence suggesting sincere Buddhist belief among Korean rulers.

Acceptance of Buddhism in Koguryo

Buddhism was officially accepted in 372.

Acceptance of Buddhism in Paekche

Buddhism was officially accepted in 384.

Acceptance of Buddhism in Silla

Buddhism was officially accepted in 535.

Meaning of Buddhism's acceptance in Korea

Represents openness to mainland cultural traditions rather than immediate complete religious conversion.

Korean adoption of Buddhism

Part of broader adoption of continental ideas, institutions, and culture.

Yang Jian

Founder of the Sui Dynasty and later Emperor Wen of Sui.

Emperor Wen of Sui (Sui Wendi)

Founder of the Sui Dynasty and devout supporter of Buddhism.

Empress Wenxian

Wife of Emperor Wen who was known for Buddhist devotion.

Sui founders and Buddhism

The founding imperial couple actively supported Buddhism and copied sutras.

Sutras

Sacred Buddhist scriptures.

Alliance between Sui and Silla

Sui maintained diplomatic relations and cooperation with Silla.

Emperor Yang of Sui

Second ruler of the Sui Dynasty.

Emperor Yang and Koguryo

Launched three disastrous military campaigns against Koguryo.

Effect of Emperor Yang's campaigns

Weakened the Sui Dynasty and contributed to its collapse.

Collapse of the Sui Dynasty

Political failures and military disasters undermined Sui rule.

Li Yuan

Founder of the Tang Dynasty who emerged after the collapse of the Sui.

Li Yuan and the end of Sui

Placed a child emperor on the throne before establishing Tang rule.

Tang Dynasty and Buddhism

Supported Buddhism but generally showed less political enthusiasm than the Sui founders.

Tang attitude toward Buddhism

Often more pragmatic and politically cautious than earlier Buddhist rulers.

Tang Taizong

One of the greatest Tang emperors who sought military expansion and strong imperial rule.

Dates of Tang Taizong's reign

626-649.

Tang Taizong and Koguryo

Personally led a campaign against Koguryo in 645 but failed.

Outcome of Tang Taizong's Koguryo campaign

Tang forces were forced to withdraw.

Han Wudi complex

Criticism suggesting that Tang Taizong shared Han Wudi's desire for expansion and military glory.

Tang-Silla Alliance

Military alliance between Tang China and Silla Korea.

Tang-Silla Alliance of 660

Tang allied with Silla against rival Korean kingdoms.

Tang-Silla defeat of Koguryo

Koguryo was conquered in 668 through cooperation between Tang and Silla.

Tang betrayal of Silla

After defeating Koguryo, Tang attempted to dominate the Korean peninsula.

Silla's response to Tang

Silla resisted Tang control and fought to maintain independence.

Silla victory over Tang

By 676 Silla expelled Tang forces from Korea.

Unified Silla

Kingdom established after Silla absorbed rivals and expelled Tang influence.

Importance of Unified Silla

Created the first long-lasting unified Korean state over most of the peninsula.

Silla after unification

Maintained diplomatic and trade relations with Tang China despite earlier conflict.

Major theme of Korean Buddhism

Buddhism spread through diplomacy, royal patronage, and cultural exchange.

Major theme of Buddhism in East Asia

Buddhism adapted to local cultures while remaining part of a larger religious tradition.

Major theme of Guanyin

Foreign Buddhist figures changed significantly when adapted to East Asian cultures.

Major theme of Mulian

Chinese Buddhism emphasized family loyalty and filial piety.

Major theme of Chen Yuan's scholarship

Foreign religions survive by adapting to local cultural traditions.

Major theme of Sui Buddhism

Buddhism served as a source of legitimacy and unity after centuries of division.

Major theme of Tang foreign policy

Tang emperors sought regional influence but often encountered limits to imperial expansion.

Major theme of Silla-Tang relations

Cooperation against common enemies eventually gave way to competition and Korean independence.

Most important example of indigenization in Chinese Buddhism

Mulian Rescuing His Mother and the transformation of Avalokitesvara into Guanyin.

Most important example of indigenization in East Asia

Buddhism adapted differently in China, Korea, and Japan while remaining recognizably Buddhist.