Currently, one might be inclined to claim that Buddhism only has a minor role in Chinese religion; however, it would be unwise to downplay the significance of how Buddhism has historically impacted Chinese beliefs and practices. (Fowler and Fowler 2012).
The book's writers are attempting to demonstrate the impact Buddhism had on Chinese religion as well as the controversy it caused in addition to being a religious doctrine. Buddhism initially encountered hostility from Taoist priests who were affected by this doctrine. Buddhism was not only practiced and spread throughout China as a religion; it also had profound impacts on the nation's social, political, and economic spheres. Buddhism arrived from India into China during the latter part of Han Dynasty. However, its rise in the Chinese population required collaboration with already existing Chinese teachings. Of all Chinese teachings that Buddhism borrowed from, Daoism was the most beneficial relation. Buddhism borrowed from Daoism through the Chinese language to help it penetrate the population and advance its teachings while Daoism expanded their ideas about the cosmos and structural intelligence of their monasteries. The relation was beneficial, but it would be an understatement to ignore the rivalry these schools of thoughts had.
However, in three centuries time, Buddhism had already gained popularity across all Chinese land. However, the effect was the expansion of Buddhism through more Chinese school of thoughts. As time has passed by two schools of thought of Chinese Buddhism still exist, that is, Pure Land Buddhism and Chan. It is clear that the authors have offered an exemplary representation of Buddhism in China which shows the different social and religious manifestation it underwent as time passed and the nation's interest kept evolving.
Bibliography
Fowler, Jeaneane D and Merv Fowler. 2012. Chinese Religions. 1st ed. Brighton: Sussex Academic Press.
