In the light of the fact that little has been known about the spread of Buddhism in Western and Eastern Han dynasties, this essay re-examines existing documentary resources, in consideration of discussion on archaeological objects recently excavated, with the hope of getting a broader and more up-to-date understanding of Buddhists’ activities in the early stage of the spread of Buddhism. To be highlighted is Emperor Chu of Yin’s worship of Buddhist which laid the foundation for development of Buddhism in the south. Nevertheless, on the other hand, his later plot to rebel made the spread of Buddhism come to a halt in mid-Eastern Han dynasty. Only in late Han could the spread revive.
