Chinese Buddhism

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Institutions of Chinese Buddhism

Buddhist monks at Jintai Temple in Zhuhai, Guangdong

Interior of the Ling Shan Brahma Palace in Wuxi, Jiangsu

A Buddhist house assembly

Part of a series on
Chinese Buddhism
History Buddhism in Central Asia Dharmaguptaka Silk Road transmission Dunhuang manuscripts Four Buddhist Persecutions in China
Major figures Lokakṣema Kumārajīva Sengzhao Jizang Dharmakṣema Paramartha Xuanzang Kuiji Woncheuk Daoxuan Huiyuan Tanluan Daochuo Shandao Zhiyi Zhanran Fazang Chengguan Śubhakarasiṃha Vajrabodhi Amoghavajra Bodhidharma Huineng Daman Hongren Mazu Daoyi Hongzhi Zhengjue Dahui Zonggao Linji Zongmi Hanshan Deqing Zhu Hong Ouyi Zhixu Miyun Yuanwu Taixu Tanxu Hsu Yun Hsuan Hua Yang Wenhui Yin Shun Nan Huai-Chin Nenghai
Traditions Chan Tiantai Huayan Pure Land Weishi Sanlun Esoteric Buddhism Humanistic Buddhism
Texts Chinese Buddhist canon Taishō Tripiṭaka
Architecture Buddhist architecture in China
Sacred Sites Mount Wutai Mount Emei Mount Jiuhua Mount Putuo Mount Lu Tiantai Mountain White Horse Temple
Culture Buddhist Association of China Cuisine Martial arts Diyu
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Chinese Buddhism or Han Buddhism (simplified Chinese: 汉传佛教; traditional Chinese: 漢傳佛教; pinyin: Hànchuán Fójiào; Jyutping: Hon3 Cyun4 Fat6 Gaau3; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Hàn-thoân Hu̍t-kàu) is a Chinese form of Mahayana Buddhism which draws on the Chinese Buddhist canon^[1] that includes the indigenous cultural traditions of Confucianism and Taoism (Chinese: 三教; pinyin: sān jiào) and the rituals of local colloquialised folk religions. Chinese Buddhism focuses on studying Mahayana sutras and Mahāyāna treatises and draws its main doctrines from these sources. Some of the most important scriptures in Chinese Buddhism include: Lotus Sutra, Flower Ornament Sutra, Vimalakirtī Sutra, Nirvana Sutra, and Amitābha Sutra.^[2][3] Chinese Buddhism is the largest institutionalized religion in mainland China.^[4] Currently, there are an estimated 185 to 250 million Chinese Buddhists in the People's Republic of China.^[4] It is also a major religion in Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, as well as among the Chinese Diaspora.^[2]

Buddhism was first introduced to China during the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). It was promoted by multiple emperors, especially during the Tang dynasty (618–907), which helped it spread across the country.^[5] The translation of a large body of Indian Buddhist scriptures into Chinese and the inclusion of these translations (along with Taoist and Confucian works) into a Chinese Buddhist canon had far-reaching implications for the dissemination of Buddhism throughout the East Asian cultural sphere, including Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Chinese Buddhism also developed various unique traditions of Buddhist thought and practice, including Tiantai, Huayan, Chan Buddhism, and Pure Land Buddhism.

From its inception, Chinese Buddhism has been influenced by native Chinese religions and philosophy, especially Confucianism and Taoism, but also Chinese folk religion.