Buddhism is a religion that originated in India and later spread to many countries and regions in Asia, forming different schools. Both Thailand and China are important countries for the transmission of Buddhism, but there are significant differences between the two countries in terms of teachings, transmission history, artistic expression, temple architecture, etc. This article will detail the differences between Thai Buddha and Chinese Buddha from these aspects, and help you understand the characteristics of Buddhism in both countries.
Doctrine
Thai Buddhism belongs to the Southern Buddhism, also known as Theravada Buddhism or Theravada Buddhism. It is a doctrine that adheres to primitive Buddhism, focuses on inner practice, and emphasizes the liberation of the individual. Thai Buddhists believe that by observing the five precepts (not killing, not stealing, not committing sexual immorality, not lying, and not drinking), and practicing Xi meditation wisdom, one can attain the state of an arhat or a Buddha of the Buddha Buddha and thus be freed from samsara and enter Nirvana. Thai Buddhists see Buddhism as a spiritual way of life, respecting the Buddha's teachings and maintaining inner humility. Buddhism in Thailand still retains a wealth of folk traditions, such as worship, offerings, prayers, and almsgiving.
Chinese Buddhism belongs to Mahayana Buddhism, also known as the Bodhisattva Therapeutics. It is a doctrine that incorporates elements of Chinese philosophy and culture, with a greater emphasis on the collective salvation of the Bodhisattva. Chinese Buddhists believe that by extensively studying the scriptures, worshipping Buddha statues and patriarchs, and visiting temples, one can attain the realm of a bodhisattva or a Buddha, thereby purifying sentient beings and attaining Buddhahood. Chinese Buddhists respect Buddhist scriptures and attach importance to Buddhist religious rituals. The teachings of Chinese Buddhism also include other elements such as Taoism and Confucianism, forming a unique cultural belief system.
Spread history
The spread of Buddhism in Thailand dates back to the third century AD, when Emperor Ashoka of India sent Buddhist envoys to various parts of Southeast Asia. In the 5th century AD, the Thonburi and Ayutthaya kingdoms in Thailand began to embrace Buddhism, and many Buddhist temples and statues were built. In the 13th century, the Sukhothai Dynasty and the Ayutthaya Dynasty of Thailand unified Thailand, established Buddhism as the state religion, and promoted the development of Buddhism. In the fifteenth century AD, the Ayutthaya Dynasty of Thailand continued to promote Buddhism, creating the ** era of Buddhism in Thailand. In the 18th century, King Rama I of Thailand established what is now the Bangkok Dynasty, closely integrating Buddhism with national politics, bringing Thai Buddhism to a new level. To this day, Thai Buddhism remains the main faith of the Thai people and has had a profound impact on Thai society and culture.
The history of the spread of Buddhism in China can be traced back to the first century AD, when Buddhist monks and merchants in India introduced Buddhism to China via the Silk Road and the Maritime Route. In the second century AD, the Han Dynasty began to have large-scale translations of Buddhist scriptures and the establishment of Buddhist monasteries. In the fourth century AD, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Buddhism entered a stage of differentiation, and various sects and schools such as the Three Treatises, Yoga Buddhism, Tiantai Buddhism, Huayan Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, Vinaya Buddhism, and Tantric Buddhism appeared.
In the sixth century, during the Sui and Tang dynasties, Buddhism reached a heyday, and there were many famous Buddhist monks and scholars, such as Xuanzang, Jianzhen, Huineng, Fa Xian, etc., who not only promoted Buddhism in China, but also went to India and Japan to exchange Buddhism. In the 10th century, during the Song and Yuan dynasties, Buddhism was influenced by Confucianism and Taoism, and there were some changes, such as the rise of Zen Buddhism, the popularization of Pure Land Buddhism, and the decline of Tantra. In the 14th century, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Buddhism was affected by society, but there were also some reform efforts, such as the confluence of Pure Land Buddhism and Zen Buddhism in the Ming Dynasty, and the revival of Pure Land Buddhism and Tantric Buddhism in the Qing Dynasty. To this day, Chinese Buddhism is still an important belief of the Chinese people and has a profound influence on Chinese thought and culture.
Artistic expression
Thai Buddhism and Chinese Buddhism are also very different in artistic expression, mainly in terms of Buddha statues, stupas and temples.
Thai Buddha statues are usually golden yellow, wearing ornate crowns and ornate robes, and are usually seated on their knees or on lotus flowers. Thai Buddha statues are mostly smiling and have a soft posture. The gestures of Thai Buddha statues also have special meanings, such as touching the ground to represent the moment of Buddha's enlightenment, Shi Fearless Seal to represent the Buddha's protection, and Meditation Seal to represent the Buddha's meditation. Thai Buddha statues and works of art often have ornate and strong Thai cultural features, such as Thai porcelain, sculptures, and Buddhist paintings.
Chinese Buddha statues are usually bronze in color, wearing a crown and robes. The physiognomy and posture of Chinese Buddha statues show a wider range of emotions, such as compassion, seriousness, happiness, anger, sadness, and serenity. The gestures of Chinese Buddha statues also have different meanings, such as the Dharma seal to indicate the Buddha's teachings, the wish seal to represent the Buddha's blessings, and the Guanyin seal to represent the Buddha's compassion. Chinese Buddha statues and works of art often have deep and diverse Chinese cultural characteristics, such as Chinese calligraphy, painting, sculpture and Buddhism**.
Temple architecture
A Thai Buddhist temple is a complex of pagodas, Buddhist halls, monks' houses, prayer halls and other buildings. The style of Buddhist temples in Thailand is mostly Thai, with bright colors such as gold, red, white, and green, characterized by curves and arcs, and characterized by delicate and delicate decorations. The architecture of Buddhist temples in Thailand usually reflects the historical, geographical, cultural, and political factors of Thailand, such as Sukhothai style, Ayutthaya style, Ayutthaya style, Rama style, etc.
A Chinese Buddhist temple is a single complex of buildings arranged along a central axis. The style of Chinese Buddhist temples is mostly Han style, with calm colors such as gray, black, yellow, and red, characterized by straight lines and squares, and characterized by solemn and majestic momentum. The architecture of Chinese Buddhist temples usually follows the traditional Chinese building codes and rituals, such as the Mountain Gate, the Tianwang Palace, the Daxiong Treasure Hall, the Tibetan Scripture Pavilion, the Bell and Drum Tower, etc.