A Survey Of Baijuyi's Buddhism

Bai Ju-yi was a very pious layman Buddhist among the literati and officialdom in Tang Dynasty. He took refuge in Buddhism at the time of the beginning of his official career. Buddhism deeply influenced his mind and life. He studied the Buddha Dharma seriously, paid his respects to the monks and embraced their sermons. The great benevolence was full of his heart and literary works. Women, unfairness and injustice, all of the social problems were his focus. So we say Bai Ju-yi is a very great Buddhist in developing the spirit of Buddha.Chapter One: Tang Dynasty was the heyday of the Chinese feudal society. Buddhism culture also reached to the height as an important part of the social ideology. Many sects of Buddhism had strict logical theories, which influenced a great number of gentlemen.Chapter Two: Bai Ju-yi was so poor in his youth. He led a very dangerous life after he was in officialdom for his frankness and pity for the poor. Buddhism was just the kind of religion which took the trouble and suffering as the essence of life. So believing in the Buddhism was a great comfort to Bai Ju-yi.Chapter Three: The great benevolence was the core of Buddhism. Under this influence Bai Ju-yi's heart was full of love for the people. He put forward many political propositions which were benefit to the people and criticized the officialdom who abused their power. He also wrote many poets expressing the same emotion.Chapter Four: In his later years, Bai Ju-yi concentrated his whole mind and energy in taking refuge in the pure-land. He expressed his will to the pure-land in many poems which were so carefree and calm. The poet went through life in a happy-go-lucky fashion in the old age.