important part of Chinese civilization since ancient China
Chinese Buddhism refers to the various schools of Buddhism that have flourished in China since ancient times. These schools integrated the ideas of Confucianism, Taoism and other indigenous philosophical systems so that the foreign religion came to be a natural part of Chinese civilization with its own unique character. Buddhism has played an important role in Chinese aesthetics, politics, literature, philosophy and medicine.
In the early Tang dynasty the monk Xuanzang (玄奘, Xuánzàng, 602-664) journeyed to India and other important sites to bring back scriptures. Buddhism reached its peak and the Tang capital of Chang'an (today's Xi'an) became an important center for Buddhist thought.
Today, the scripture-filled caves and structures such as Mogao Caves in Gansu Province, the Longmen Grottoes in Henan Province and the Yungang Grottoes in Shanxi Province are the most renowned of the Northern, Sui and Tang dynasties. The Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan Province, carved during Tang Dynasty is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world.
In the early Tang dynasty the monk Xuanzang (玄奘, Xuánzàng, 602-664) journeyed to India and other important sites to bring back scriptures. Buddhism reached its peak and the Tang capital of Chang'an (today's Xi'an) became an important center for Buddhist thought.
Today, the scripture-filled caves and structures such as Mogao Caves in Gansu Province, the Longmen Grottoes in Henan Province and the Yungang Grottoes in Shanxi Province are the most renowned of the Northern, Sui and Tang dynasties. The Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan Province, carved during Tang Dynasty is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world.