History & Culture
- Religions in China -

China boasts a 4,000-year history and a splendid culture. The articles below may help you to better understand Chinese culture and tradition.

A Summary of Buddhism

Buddha is a person who gets enlightened through his self-disciplined practice and meditation. The enlightenment results from the practice and meditation. This article focuses on the basic doctrines of Buddhism, …

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The Spread of Buddhism in China

Buddhism was founded by Prince Gautama Siddhartha in the 6th century B.C. in ancient India(the modern Nepal). It was introduced to China by the end of the Western Han Dynasty(202B.C.-8A.D.). According to the his…

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The Images of Bodhisattvas and Arhats

Bodhisattvas are partly enlightened and they can also help others to be enlightened. Arhats refer to the ones who have ceased their own desires, but they are not able to teach others the truth of human’s life a…

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The Directory of Buddhas

According to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, there are many Buddhas in the universe. When people pay a visit to a monastery, they may wonder whose images are placed in different buildings for worship. Following…

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The Biography of Prince Siddhartha

Prince Siddhartha was born in the Central India. There are different opinions about the date of his birth and death. The Mahayana Buddhists hold that Siddhartha was born in 565 B.C. and passed away in 485 B.C., …

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The Architectural Tradition of the Mahayana Monasteries

According to the traditional Chinese architectural practice, buildings in a monastery are arranged symmetrically along a north-south axis. The main buildings stand on the axis with south-facing front doors. Gene…

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Lamaism

Known as Tibetan Buddhism or Vajrayana Buddhism, Lamaism is generally practiced by Tibetans, Mongols, the Monba people and the Yugu people. It was founded by Master Padmasambhava in the 8th century. The fun…

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The Spread of Protestantism in China

The spread of Protestantism to China could be traced back to the early 19th century. The first preacher who travelled to China for propagating Protestantism was Robert Morrison(1782-1834), a British missionary.…

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The Spread of Islam in China

Islam was introduced to China in the early Tang Dynasty(618-907). In ancient times, Islam was called the Hui Religion by the Han-Chinese. According to the historical records, in the year of 651, some traders fro…

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The Spread of Catholicism in China

The spread of Catholicism to China could be traced back to the early Tang Dynasty(618-907). The first priest who traveled to China for propagating Catholicism was Olopen, a Syrian. In the year of 635, he arrived…

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A Summary of Confucianism

Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from Confucius’s teachings. Focusing on human morality and righteous action, it has exerted a profound influence on Chinese history and cultu…

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Religious Beliefs in China

China has a great diversity of religious beliefs. The main religions include Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism. Some ethnic groups have their own religions, such as the Bon Religion of Tibet…

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A Brief Introduction to Taoism

Taoism is indigenous to China. It is also known as Daoism. The word Taoism does not only refer to the native religion of China, but also the philosophy of Lao-Tzu(or Laozi). Lao-Tzu(571B.C.-471B.C.) is regarded …

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