Since it originated in India many centuries ago, Buddhism has spread south to Ceylon, Cambodia and Laos to become Hinayana (Little Vehicle) and north to China, Korea and Japan where it developed into Mahayana (GreatVehicle). Hinayana is concerned more with individual salvation through contemplation and self-purification, while Mahayana teaches compassion and universal salvation.
Buddhism was introduced to China during the reign of Ming Ti (second emperor of the eastern Han dynasty) about 65 A.D., and spread rapidly during the ensuing Sui and Tang dynasties. As it developed, it took on the attributes of the local culture to become a truly Chinese style of Buddhism. For most of the past 2,000 years, Buddhism has had more adherents than any other religion in China.
Buddhism was introduced to Taiwan by immigrants from Fukien and Kwangtung provinces at the end of the Ming Dynasty when the Dutch ruled the island. When the Ming Dynasty patriot, Cheng Cheng-kung, or Koxinga as he is known in the West, started to open up the island, Buddhism gradually attracted more followers from among the local inhabitants. Koxinga's son Cheng Chin, was among the faithful, and established the Mito Temple. During the period of Manchu rule in China, a large number of monks (Sangha) came to Taiwan from Fukien and Kwangtung Provinces to establish more temples. As a result, many branches of Buddhism, including Lung Hua and Hsien Tien were introduced to the island.
During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, the Buddhist doctrine popular in the country influenced the local version. Since Japanese Buddhists paid little attention to instructions from the monasteries, many religious leaders in Taiwan adopted loose ways, and even got married or ate meat. The monks and nuns of Lung Hua and Hsien Tien abandoned the tonsure, and many Buddhist temples were lavishly decorated with mystic or Taoist paintings. In addition, many heathen deities such as the Goddess of the Sea, Matsu, the Earth God and Lu Tung Ping (a Tang Dynasty immortal) were worshipped in the temples. Not surprisingly, many people obtained the wrong impression of Buddhism.
After Taiwan was restored to the Republic of China, many Buddhist teachers came to the island to rectify this situation. As a result, Buddhism has been enhanced as the public began to understand its true message and Dharma (law).
In order to fully understand Buddhism, it is necessary to appreciate the significance of the Buddha. Sakyamuni Buddha (born circa 500 B.C.), son of a king in northern India, was distressed by the misery of mankind and the inadequacy of Hinduism. He left the palace to probe into the secret of suffering and to pioneer a path leading to the surcease of pain and misery. It is believed that after meditating long and deeply under a tree, now known as the Bodhitree, he attained complete spiritual enlightenment and state of ecstasy. He had a foretaste of Nirvana--the extinction of individuality by its absorption into the One Universal Supreme Spirit--and he felt convinced that he was beyond suffering, beyond the transmigration of souls. In other words, he was now the Buddha, the Enlightened One. The sutras (classics) were recorded by his disciples.
Buddhism advocates that all living creatures are endowed with Buddhist nature, and everyone can become a Buddha through self-discipline and creation. Buddhism also advocates that all creatures are created by the harmonious combination of natural causes and elements, so "self-denial" is important. To show mercy to all creatures is a merit, so the followers of Buddha must be vegetarians, and must never kill any creature. In their daily activities, Buddhist must be kind, charitable and have no earthly desires.
Wisdom is also needed to enable followers to gain enlightenment. Then the Dharma must be experienced and carried out by a disciple in person if he wishes to reach the level of spiritual purification called Dhyana (deep meditation upon a single object).
In order to re-establish the authority of Buddhism in Taiwan, the Ven. San Huei organized the Taiwan Buddhist Association in 1945. It was renamed as the Taiwan branch of the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China (BAROC) in 1949 after many Sangha immigrated to Taiwan from the China mainland. A grand ceremony at which Buddhists took priestly vows ensued in 1952 under the promotion of Ven. Pai Sheng. With more than 500 disciples ordained, the first step to re-establishing Buddhism was completed.
As education is an important factor in the development of Buddhism, the Ven. Tzu Hang was invited to inaugurate the Taiwan Buddhist College, the first of its kind in Taiwan. For the past more than 30 years, numerous Buddhist research institutes have been set up islandwide. Graduates from these institutes either preside over temple business, teach at Buddhist institutes or middle schools, or undertake social work after their commencement. Some even go abroad to further their studies in the field. At present, more than 60 societies for Buddhist research have been set up in universities and colleges. Research centers for Buddhist culture have also been inaugurated for the study of Buddhist culture and ideology, academic philosophy and art (such as modern Buddhist painting).
To promulgate the Buddhist doctrine, periodicals have been published and Buddhist programs have been broadcast.
Music has always had a significant role in Buddhism in China, and even regular sutra and prayers are chanted. Various musical instruments made up of metal, stone, strings, and bamboo have been used as accompaniment. From the 1920s, Western music was introduced into Buddhist chanting to make sutra preaching more comprehensible and enjoyable.
Another factor contributing to the fast development of Buddhism has been an increase in the number of temples. In these temples, laymen are persuaded to take vows, and the faith of the ordained is reinforced.
Buddha, Dharma, and bonze are the Triratna (three treasures) of Buddhism. BAROC statistics show that at present, about 7.5 million inhabitants of Taiwan are Buddhists, and 7,800 have been ordained and led recluse lives. Of the 2,520 temples on the island, that at Fokuangshan, presided over by the Ven. Hsin Yun, is most famous for its efforts to propagate Dharma.
Over the past 13 years, the rapid development of the Buddhist center at Fokuangshan has enabled it to set up branches in Taipei, Ilan, Changhua, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Penghu, and even in the United States.
About 40 minutes drive from Kaohsiung city in southern Taiwan, Fokuangshan has a Maitreya at the gate to welcome visitors. Ta Hsiung Pao Tien (Great Majesty Temple), Ta Pei Tien (Great Sorrow Temple), Ta Chih Tien (Great Wisdom Temple), and Ta Yuan Tien (Great Wish Temple) are the four major compounds at Fokuangshan. Three Buddhas are worshipped in the Ta Hsiung Pao Tien. In the center is Sakyamuni Buddha, to the right is Omito Fo (Amitabha), and to the left Yaoshih Fo, all standing more than 20 feet high.
Among the outstanding features of this temple are the 14,600 small niches in the walls, each of which contains a statue of the Buddha. Names of the donor are inscribed at the base of each niche.
A 800-ping exhibition room for Buddhist culture contains such data as publications and other information on the schools of Buddhism, the relationship between Buddhism and the emperors, generals and literary men, the way to be a good follower of the Buddha, the standardized temple, Buddhist poetry, calligraphy, books, paintings and other effects.
Buddhist research centers, a Buddhist high school, an orphanage, and an old people's home have also been set up at Fokuangshan. After the suspension of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China and the United States, Fokuangshan temple authorities held a self-reliance Buddhist music concert, and a meeting to promulgate Buddhist law (Dharma) to show their concern over state affairs. They donated the total proceeds of US$28,000 from the concert to the Government's national defense fund.
Buddhism has now entered a period of transition to enable it to meet the challenges and needs of modern society. Monks and nuns are traveling the streets to publicize the religion and to promote social welfare, instead of leading recluse life as in the past.
[Picture Caption]
Left: The huge Buddha statue in a pose of welcome to the faithful. Right: After the bell is tolled in the morning, the monks start their morning lessons by chanting sutras.
1. Of the 2,520 Buddhist temples in the Republic of China, the one at Fokuangshan is most famous for its efforts to propagate Dharma (law). 2. The ceremony to celebrate the birthday of Sakyamuni Buddha. 3. In the ceremony, worshippers wash clean the body of Buddha to symbolize the purging of sins. 4. A Buddhist monk beats the mu yu, a wooden drum, while chanting sutras. 5. The interior of Ta Hsiung Pao Tien (Great Majesty Temple).
Opposite: After morning lessons, the monks line up in two columns to go out of the temple. From top: The monks study sutras and sit in deep meditation.
Opposite: The monks play basketball and practice kung fu to achieve the necessary physical strength to publicize Dharma for the salvation of souls. Above: Relic of a great Buddhist teacher.
About 7.5 million people in free China are Buddhists, comprising more than one third of the populations. Through worshipping the Buddha and chanting sutras, their spirit is purified.
After the bell is tolled in the morning, the monks start their morning lessons by chanting sutras.
After the bell is tolled in the morning, the monks start their morning lessons by chanting sutras.
Of the 2,520 Buddhist temples in the Republic of China, the one at Fokuangshan is most famous for its efforts to propagate Dharma （law）
The ceremony to celebrate the birthday of Sakyamuni Buddha.
In the ceremony, worshippers wash clean the body of Buddha to symbolize the purging of sins.
A Buddhist monk beats the mu yu, a wooden drum, while chanting sutras.
The interior of Ta Hsiung Pao Tien （Great Majesty Temple）.
After morning lessons, the monks line up in two columns to go out of the temple.
The monks study sutras and sit in deep meditation.
The monks study sutras and sit in deep meditation.
The monks study sutras and sit in deep meditation.
The monks play basketball and practice kung fu to achieve the necessary physical strength to publicize Dharma for the salvation of souls.
The monks play basketball and practice kung fu to achieve the necessary physical strength to publicize Dharma for the salvation of souls.
Relic of a great Buddhist teacher.
About 7.5 million people in free China are Buddhists, comprising more than one third of the populations. Through worshipping the Buddha and chanting sutras, their spirit is purified.
About 7.5 million people in free China are Buddhists, comprising more than one third of the populations. Through worshipping the Buddha and chanting sutras, their spirit is purified.
About 7.5 million people in free China are Buddhists, comprising more than one third of the populations. Through worshipping the Buddha and chanting sutras, their spirit is purified.
About 7.5 million people in free China are Buddhists, comprising more than one third of the populations. Through worshipping the Buddha and chanting sutras, their spirit is purified.
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