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Early Buddhism in China

Michael Knight
12/10/03


As Buddhism spread it encountered many different civilizations, but few as advanced as China. China already had a sophisticated civilization that was based around Confucianism. Being isolated from the rest of the world the Chinese truly believed they were the greatest civilization in the world and, in turn, held Confucianism in great regard. Then Buddhism came in and challenged fundamental aspects of Confucianism. The major issue that confronted the Chinese as they considered converting to Buddhism was that of filial devotion.
Inherent in the idea of filial devotion was the respect for one’s body. “The Classic of Filiality says, ‘Our body, limbs, hair, and skin are all received from our fathers and mothers. We dare not injure th...

Posted by: Leonard Herriman

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