Chinese Schools of Buddhism

Buddhism reached China through India during the Chin and Han Dynasties. From then on Buddhism has become an important component in Chinese culture. The history and culture of China is incomplete without discussing about Buddhism. For the last 2000 years Buddhism has existed in China inspite of several political and social changes. From the era of the Three Kingdoms to the Tang Dynasty is hailed as the best time for Chinese Buddhism. It is during this period that several schools of Chinese Buddhism evolved with the teachings of Buddha forming their base.

The rise and fall of the various kinds of Chinese Buddhist Schools have been closely associated with the cultural and political changes. There are 10 Chinese Schools of Buddhism. Initially, however, there were no separate schools of Buddhism. With time Buddhist disciples broke away from the earliest form of Buddhism and various schools were formed in the process. These disciples projected those principles that proved most beneficial to them.

The 10 Chinese Schools of Buddhism are:-

•Reality School. Also known as Abhidharma School or Kosa School
•Satysiddhi School or Chengse School
•Three Sastra School or Sanlun School
•The Lotus School or T`ientai School
•The Garland School or Avatamsaka School. Also known as Huayen School
•Intuitive School or Chan School or Dhyana School
•Discipline or Lu or Vinaya School.
•Esoteric or Chenyien School or Mantra School
•Dharmalaksana School or Fasiang School
•Pureland School, Sukhavati School or Chingtu School.

Most of the Chinese Schools of Buddhism still exist in the Far East country.