Analysis Of Emperor Xuanzong Of The Tang Dynasty Buddhist Magic Phenomenon

Magic in Buddhism is a mysterious phenomenon expressed by some strange ways or power .It plays an important role in the development of Buddhism. Since Buddhism was spread into China in Han Dynasty, it showed mysterious facets. In Tang Dynasty, with the birth of Esoteric Buddhism, the level of mysticism was heavily deepened, which suggests the different character compared with traditional Buddhism. Therefore, this thesis aims to find what happened and changed and why the Esoteric Buddhism can been spread in the period of TangXuanzong which is an important time in the history of Buddhism, and the magic's influence on Chinese society and culture, by the analysis of Buddhism' magic in this period.Magic is not the result of primitive Buddhism, while derives from Brahmanism, which is forbidden in the time of Buddha. However, it exists in the whole Buddhism history .In Han Dynasty, in order to adapt Chinese traditional culture and attract the public's attentions; Buddhists had to use the mystery of magic as to introduce the teachings of Buddha. They tried to look for similarities on Chinese witchcraft and Taoism's magic. In fact, the doctrines regarding miracles in Buddhism have existed for long times. We should notice that great Buddhists' magic and translation on secret dogma just lies in situation of potentiality till the period of Tang Xuanzong.In the AD7th century, Esoteric Buddhism was given birth in India, then after a century, i.e. in the time of Kaiyan period, three great Buddhists --Subhakarasimha, Vajrabodhih and Amoghavajrah arrived in China .By the efforts of foreign and Chinese native Buddhists, a new Sect arose in the early time of the AD8th century and became a popular one, while it contained lots of secret factors, suggesting that the public can get to marvelous situations through the mystery on body, words and consciousness. Compared with others, it emphasizes the mysterious characters. What's more, it also helps to solve out politics and weather problems in that time. At the same time, the magic is being popular as the needs of Buddhism, build of new Sect, helpful functions and the respect of emperor. Of course, magic in Buddhism is only a way to spread Buddhism doctrine. In any time, the main purpose is to expose the method of Buddhism exercise, the way of saving the believers and belief of being Buddha. However, what the difference is, magic deposes the core value in this time. In other words, the popular magic bases on mysticism and theory supports.Basically speaking, magic in Buddhism contains some actors on Brahmanism and other folk religions. In the process of the Buddhism, there is a fact that other religions have effects on Buddhism. What's more, mysticism shown by Buddhism's magic imposes influence on people's ideology and cultural development in latter times, develops the levels of mysticism.