Buddhism in China

Samuel Beal

Of the three religions, or religious persuasions, professed in China, two have already been described in a volume of the present series. The third, Buddhism, is to be considered in the following pages. To understand the position which this religion holds in China, it must be borne in mind that its influence depends not so much on its recognised authority as on the tone which it has given to the religious thought of the people. Although it was formerly patronised by the emperors and the court, it is now proscribed. Yet, in the presence of this, its influence is everywhere felt, and it undoubtedly affects the whole religious condition of the empire. Hence it is not erroneous to include in the number of professed Buddhists throughout the Eastern world the great proportion of the Chinese people, who, if not professed disciples, are at least implicit believers in the leading facts of this religion, and conform themselves to its teaching in daily life. The Buddhist religion has affected the entire population of the country, and, although not supported or countenanced by the government, is yet secretly respected even by the highest functionaries of the state. - Introductory.