The Study Of The Early Development Of The Pure Land Buddhism In China

Based on the materials and documents from Liang version of the Biographies of Eminent Monks and other related sources as well as the academic achievements by other scholars , this paper focuses on the the early development of the Pure Land Buddhism in China.In accordance with the prominent figures in the history of the Pure Land school, this dissertation is divided into five major parts:In the first part, the author discusses the translation and propagation of the texts of the Pure Land tradition, which constitutes the foundation and basis of the Pure Land faith. In this part, the author outlines the translators and the time they were living as well as and the books they translated.In the second Part, the author discusses Chinese Pure Land Buddhism in the earliest stage and important Pure Land believers prior to Daoan.In the third Part 3, the author discussess the Daoan-centered Maitreya worship: in the history of Chinese Buddhism, Daoan was a highly important figure, around whom, a large number of sangha was gathered. In the later period, He became a representative of the Maitreya worship. Among his disciples, many become the believers of Maitreya Pure Land.In the forth Part, the author concentrates on the Amitabha Pure Land worship centered by Huiyuan who was the 1^st Patriarch of Chinese Pure Land Buddhism and the leader of Lushan branch. In 402, Huiyuan and his 120 followers came togerther for spiritual cultivation. As a result, White Lotus Society, a Buddhist tradition embracing a long-lasting impact on Chinese Pure Land Buddhism, especially the Amitabha Pure Land Buddhism saw its emergence. Also in this part, the author expands his discusion on the differences between religious belief of Daoan and that of Huiyuan.In the fifth Part, the author discusses the prominent figures after Huiyuan, up until the Liang Dynasty.By analyzing Chinese Pure Land Buddhism in this stage, we come to a conclusion, in this specific period, the Pure Land Buddhism was of great importance in the whole Buddhist movement, and its social influence was on the rapid rise. Hopefully, this dissertation will help increase our knowledge about the Pure Land Buddhism and the understanding about Chinese Buddhism as a whole.