Now, it is my great honor to discuss with you the past, present and future of Han Buddhism. It is well-known that Buddhism began to spread from India into China at roughly the same time as the birth of Jesus Christ. It eventually became integrated with the native culture of China, gradually developing into a particular form of Buddhism with unique Chinese features. Chinese Buddhism has become a signifi cant part of the Chinese culture, and China has been called by many “the second home of Buddhism.” Buddhism reached different regions of China at different times, through different paths, contributing to the formation of a diverse Buddhist heritage, which includes Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism in Yunnan Province of China. Today we will discuss Han Buddhism. Buddhism was first brought to China during the two Han dynasties (206 BCE–220 CE). Over the course of nearly 2,000 years, Chinese Buddhists have translated Buddhist scriptures, conducted research into the original principles of Buddhism, compiled collections of Buddhist literature, classifi ed Buddhist teachings and established various sects, thereby successfully integrating a foreign religion into their own native Chinese culture. Han Buddhism is a shining example of the integration of different civilizations—Indian and Chinese—and has become one of the three major constituents of Chinese culture, along with Taoism and Confucianism. How, then, do we get to grips with the innate spirituality of Han Buddhism and avoid getting lost in a sea of scriptures? For example one can be distracted by narrow interpretation, quarrels arising from sectarian differences, or textual criticisms of the validity of Han Buddhism. Modern concepts such as “science,” “democracy” and “human rights” are also used to judge Han Buddhism and fi nd it wanting. These questions are certainly very important, for they are bound up with how Chinese Buddhism inherits its past, what its status is in the present, and how it develops in the future. I cannot provide answers to these questions. The only thing I can do is to propose a way of thinking. In this talk I’m going to summarize the essence of Han Buddhism in three key words: compassion, unity and humanity.
