In this study, the concept of filial piety depicted in Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Pūrvapraṇidhāna Sūtra (a popular sūtra in Chinese Buddhism; hereafter referred to as the “Kṣitigarbha Sūtra”) was investigated to explore the development of the said concept, subsequent responses from Confucians, and measures taken and responses made by Buddhists in answers to challenges encountered when Buddhism was introduced to China. The notion of filial piety illustrated in Kṣitigarbha Sūtra can be explained by the carrying forward, development, and practice of filial piety in Buddhism, where these endeavors make up the deficiencies of filial piety in traditional Chinese practices. This study was divided into the following sections: First, the view of filial piety initially preached in China and that addressed in Buddhism were identified. Related classics were interpreted and literature was examined to gain insight into the development of the Kṣitigarbha faith in China and how widely it was accepted. Second, the philosophies taught in Kṣitigarbha Sūtra were utilized to learn about Kṣitigarbha’s special virtues and the reason that caused him to take the vow( not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied.) In addition, the edification theories and targets of the Kṣitigarbha Sūtra were identified. Third, the spread of the Kṣitigarbha faith and its combination with folk religions in China were discussed.
After Buddhism was introduced to China, it underwent a long period of adjustments with Confucianism before the two existed in harmony. Thus, the idea of filial piety evolved and differed from that initially presented in Buddhism. Over time, Kṣitigarbha was worshipped as the Lord of the Underworld. During this process, Kṣitigarbha Sūtra and other Buddhist classics on filial piety garnered a great deal of attention, which served to display the close relationship between Buddhism and Confucianism in preaching the concept of filial piety. Concurrently, the unique views of filial piety in Buddhism were conveyed: Buddhism emphasizes that children should be filial pious not only to their parents in this current life but also save their parents of seven generations to pay their debt of gratitude. The Kṣitigarbha Sūtra teaches filial piety using the ideas of causality, hell, offense and merit, interest, saving sentient beings, and repentance, making it markedly unique. In addition, the style of writing of the Kṣitigarbha Sūtra is smooth and easy to understand, satisfying the requirements to facilitate its circulation and encourage public belief. In Buddhism, children’s filial piety toward their parents is not limited to this lifetime but rather for seven generations, enabling those who are unable to do so in time to make up for their loss. Children can practice filial piety by reciting, talking about, memorizing, and writing Buddhist classics as well as saying the names and color painting Buddhas and Bodhisattvas . The notion of filial piety undergoing a fusion of Buddhism and Confucian becomes more integrated.
