During The Eastern Jin And Southern Clergy And The Ruling Class Relations

This paper mainly discusses the relations between Buddhists and the ruling class in East Jin and Southern Dynasties. As a form of ideology, the development of Buddhism needed the support both from the public and the rulers, especially the King. At the same time, the ruling class needed to make use of Buddhism for its ruling as well. Its role to protect and promote Buddhism could not be replaced by the Buddhists. East Jin and Southern Dynasties were the key periods in the development of Buddhism, in which the Buddhists required more from the governing class to help them "market" Buddhism. Buddhists communicated a lot with the royal families and put a great impact on the ruling class through arguing, explaining, presenting, etc. The senior Buddhists, especially, have led an important role in winning the trust and respect from the rulers with their superior knowledge, wisdom and high-praised personalities. The ruling class has done a lot communication downwards with senior Buddhists as well and sometimes let them take part in the dealing of politic issues. Albeit, there were some hurdles coming out during the developing, with the support and acknowledgement from the rulers, the weak objecting part was fading away quickly. To some degree, the right of Buddhists was superior to the royal. Buddhism, imported to China during Han Dynasty, has rooted itself deeply in East Jin and Southern Dynasties.The paper consists of three chapters. Chapter One outlines the condition of busy interactions between the Buddhists and the public, and analyses the causes behind it in East Jin and Southern Dynasties. Chapter Two focuses on the effect the Buddhists have put on the governing class by the interacting in the politics or the communicating with the royal. Chapter Three discusses how the Buddhists have gained the understanding and support from the rulers theoretically and realistically and how the Buddhism believers among the ruling class have influenced the Buddhists positively and further influenced Buddhism.