Ashoka's Buddhist Faith And Its Impact On China

Asoka (304 BC - 232 BC) is the third Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty. After the conversion to Buddhism, he formed a unique Buddhist faith and practice of Buddhism. He used his position to propagate Buddhism to new heights in Indian and all over the world, especially exerting a profound impact on Chinese Buddhist culture. China's academic research on the Asoka is neither comprehensive nor systematic; the aboard academic field mainly concerns about the way by which Asoka administered the country with assistance of Buddhism, whereas ignores Asoka's influence on China.Based on previous studies, under the guidance of historical materialism, employing the research methods of history, religion and sociology, psychology, this study reveals the influences of Asoka's Buddhist faith on China. This thesis is divided into three parts. In the first part, the author discusses the background and life experiences of Asoka and his conversion to Buddhism, involving the analysis of his religious psychology and the specific features of his Buddhist faith, etc. The second part discusses the practice of the Asoka's Buddhist faith, including rectification and promotion of the Buddhist doctrines, administration with assistance of Buddhism, the propagation of Buddhism by donations, the construction of pagodas and the survey of Buddhist traces. In the third part, the author discusses the impact of Asoka on China in history and at present. The historical research focuses on the introduction of the image of Asoka to China, as well as influences of Asoka on the following aspects: the spreading of Buddhism to China, the theory and faith of Chinese Buddhism, the Chinese holy king's ideal, and the Chinese Buddhist arts. Also, this paper discusses three aspects of Asoka's impact in contemporary China: the continuing prosperity of Asoka Tower, successive construction of Asoka Pillars, the popularity of Asoka films, operas and literature.The relationship between religion and politics, faith and reality, theory and practice involved in Asoka Buddhist beliefs enlightens the understanding of the development and propagation of Buddhism. Study on the impacts of Asoka on China helps to disclose background and content of the India-China cultural exchanges, explore the spreading methods and routes of Indian Buddhism to China, and reveal the magnificent influences of Buddhism on the Chinese culture.