Journal of East China Normal University (Philosoph ›› 2013, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (2): 14-21.

• 宗教学研究 • Previous Articles     Next Articles

On the Sinicization of Buddhism and the Relationship among the Three Religions in China

HONG Xiu-ping & HAN Feng-ming   

  • Online:2013-03-15 Published:2013-05-21
  • Contact: HONG Xiu-ping & HAN Feng-ming
  • About author:HONG Xiu-ping & HAN Feng-ming

Abstract: The relationship among the three religions, i.e., Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, has always been an important issue in the history of Chinese philosophy. Examined in the context of the Sinicization of Buddhism, many significant perspectives of this issue will be understood appropriately. When Buddhism was first introduced into China, it had to depend upon and adapt itself to the local culture of China; then with the development of Buddhism, its conflicts with Confucianism and Daoism emerged; with the gradual communication and fusion among the three religions, sinicized Buddhism characterized by humanity eventually took shape. By analyzing the relationship among the three religions in the historical course of the Sinicization of Buddhism, this thesis attempts to put forward some new points of view and provide some methodological suggestions to the study of the history of Chinese philosophy.