A Study On The Reception Of Western Buddhism In Jiangxi Province During The Six Dynasties Period

As an exotic religion,Buddhism's spread and development in new areas depends on the input from its original place.The spread and development of Buddhism in Jiangxi Province during the Six Dynasties Period was inseparable from the cultural exchange between Jiangxi Buddhism and Western Buddhism.The unique geographical environment and the political and social development since the Six Dynasties brought Jiangxi an opportunity to spread Buddhism widely.Favorable water transportation conditions have eliminated the closed terrain of Jiangxi Province,and connected to the golden waterway of the Yangtze River,enabling Jiangxi,which is located at the junction of Jingzhou and Yangzhou,to have a good channel for foreign exchange.The cultural atmosphere during the Six Dynasties Period was relaxed and tolerant,so under the ruler's attitude of worshipping Buddha and the support from local officials in Jiangxi Province since the Eastern Jin Dynasty,Jiangxi,with its significant geographical position and good forest environment,provided favorable conditions for the eminent monks of the Western Regions to practice meditation and spread Buddhism.As the earliest zone that received Buddhism's spread toward the northern region,the Western Regions has a solid belief mass foundation and a congregational scale,and countries such as Kophen,Kuci and Khotan are known as the “Buddhist Kingdom”.After the opening of the Land Silk Road,Buddhism continued to spread into the inland of China and spread extensively to the vast southern regions.The eminent monks from the Western Regions spread Buddhism in Jiangxi through religious activities such as setting up temples,setting altars,and translating scriptures.The local monks in Jiangxi Province also communicated actively with Buddhist monks in the Western Regions.They not only communicated through letters,translations,discussions,editing books to discuss the religious ethics and spiritual disciplines,but also enriched Buddhist classics and explored Buddhism texts through traveling to India to seek Buddhism scriptures and learn from the eminent monks.The reception and absorption of the Weatern Buddhism in Jiangxi Province have enriched the classics,theories,and practice of Buddhists in Jiangxi.The early development of Pure Land and Zen Thought led to the indigenization and localization of Buddhism in China.In this context,the localized Buddhism in Jiangxi also promoted the transformation of folk beliefs and customs.