Buddhism in China

       Buddhism reached China during the first century CE. Many key ideals of Buddhism complemented those of taoism, which was a major influence in China at the time, for instance both religions describe themselves as a 'path'. Karma and reicarnation were alien ideas, but the could easily be integreted into concepts of human and religious development. Despite encountering quite strong opposition at firs, particulary from the practicioners of Confucianism, Buddhism gradually took root in China.

Zen Buddhism

                 It was in China that Zen Buddhism ( today especially inportent in Japan, Vietnam and Korea )originated, where it was called ch'an, or 'maditation', The practice of meditation (za-zen) is still central to Zen as a means of reaching enlightenment (satori); to practice za-zen, followers sit in the lotus position -cross -legged, with each foot on the opposite thigh. Of equal importance with seated meditation is the koan, questions which require great mental straggle and have no ration answer; for example, students may be asked to discribe the sound of one hand clapping. The aim is to alter one's way of thinking. The tension produced by the koan demonstrated Zen adherence to the power of intuition and its oppotition to the supremacy of reason. Words are concidered superficial, and to understand the meaning of life it is necessary to delve beyon theme.

Tibetan Buddhism

                 One of the greatest Bodhisattvas is Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattvas of conpassion and the patron of Tibet. He hold a lotus in his hand. Despite China's invation of Tibet in1959 and the encuing destruction of the culture, Tibetan Buddhist is showing signs of revival and has many followers in the West.

Vajrayana

                  Vajrayana Budhism ('the diamond vehicle') spread east from India to Nepal and Tibet as wellas to China and Japan. Vajrayana countains elementst drawn from the ancient India philosophy of tantrism and the original Bon religion of Tibet. Followers seek to attain realization of the absolute, using tchniques suck as the mantra. A mantra is a phrase repeated over and over again as an aid to meditation. 'om mani padme hum' it is a  commonly used  mantra; mani padme means 'jewel in the lotus', while om and hum are resonant word believed to have a special supernatural significance. Other special technniques included the mudra, or physical gesture; Vajrayana uses many muvements, especially of the hand, to express the striving for unity with the absolute, There is also the Mandala, or 'maditation cicle', which represents cosmic relationships. Concentration on this can lead to a feeling of experiencing the divine.

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