In 446 AD, the Buddhist Persecution was beginning in China. In a campaign to suppress an uprising in the Changan area, weapons and women were discovered in Buddhist temples, resulting in emperor believing that the Buddhists were against him. The emperor ordered that Buddhism be abolished under penalty of death. The emperor ordered that all monks should be killed and Buddhist scriptures and statues be destroyed. Then, In 577 AD, Second Buddhist Persecution was beginning in China. Emperor Zhou Wudi of Northern Zhou banned Buddhism. He eliminated the Buddhist faith on the grounds that the religion exhausted the wealth of the people, harmful to the people and was immoral to follow. The emperor believed that the two religions had both become wealthy and powerful. With this belief, all the monasteries and stupas were destroyed and all Buddhist scriptures were burned. Then, In 712 AD, Third Buddhist Persecution was beginning in China. At that time, the Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty ascended the throne. Then, In 843, Forth Buddhist Persecution was beginning in China. At that time, there was the conflict with Uyghur tribe. Emperor Wuzong’s solution to the nation’s economic problem was to acquire the wealth gained by Buddhist monasteries. That's why, one of the largest Anti-Buddhist Persecutions was in 845 and was initiated by Taoist Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty. The employee closed many Buddhist shrines and confiscated their land. He was infamous for his prejudice against Buddhists. During his campaign, he destroyed Buddhist temples and forced monks and nuns to return to tax-paying commoners. In the initial years of Chinese Communist rule, all religious activities were stopped. Monasteries were closed and most of the monks and nuns were forced to disrobe and work in the communes. Though there is a Chinese Buddhist Association still existed in Beijing, it was more of a show to the outside world. Then came the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) which destroyed most of the religious statues and artifacts except those temples protected by the State. This is the modern Buddhist Persecution in China. But, why do the Buddhism still flourish in China although the many Buddhist Persecution? |
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reply to why does buddhism still flourish in china
Hello, you asked a good question and you provided information of the Buddhist purges and persecutions throughout history.
However, I think we must remember that China is a very large country in terms of land area and population. While certain Emperors may have attacked and persecuted Buddhism, oftentimes, they did so due to economic and political reasons, not just because they were against a particular religion. Other religions have also faced persecution in China.
hence, if we view the history of any country from a long-term view, we will see that countries rise and fall, religions rise and fall as well. of course, if a religion happens to be in favour of a king or emperor, it will flourish with the state support and patronage.
However, the fact that Buddhism survived up till today shows that it is seen as having value in China. Another reason why China survived is that it had a large population of monks and nuns. Even though many were killed or forced to disrobe during the purges, there were still others that carried on their monastries and temple activities and studies. The courage and determination of the Chinese monks and nuns is what helped Buddhism to flourish. Also, I think the geographical isolation of many of the temples in mountains of China also helped to preserve the religion.