Description
Buddhism was brought to China by Indian monks via the Silk Road in the first century AD. Chinese tradition cites the year 2 AD as the beginning of Buddhism in China, with its introduction from Central Asia. Initially, it was associated with Laozi and the Taoism he founded. He is said to have traveled west to spread Taoism among the barbarians. The two systems were initially confused, possibly because both doctrines focused on salvation. Moreover, the Chinese language at that time was still too limited to describe abstract concepts such as those proclaimed in Buddhism. For example, translating the sutras required using terminology derived from Taoism. The use of familiar concepts ensured the rapid spread of Buddhism in China
Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand. In 2011, 94.6% of the country's 66.7 million inhabitants adhered to it. The most important branch of the country is Theravada Buddhism. Archaeological findings indicate that Buddhism may have been transmitted to Thailand from Myanmar around the 6th century CE. Buddhism may have been present in Thailand even earlier, at the earliest in 228 BCE, brought by Uttar Sthavira, one of the sons of the Indian king Asoka, an Indian ruler from the 3rd century BCE and a great promoter and protector of Buddhism. The most prevalent branch of the religion in Thailand between the 8th and 13th centuries was Hinayana Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism then spread under the influence of the then-kings of Thailand. This influence arose primarily through the contacts existing at that time with Ceylonese Buddhists. In 1851, Rama IV succeeded his deceased brother Rama III. Rama IV was a Buddhist monk when he ascended the throne, and during his reign, he reformed Buddhism in the country to the form it is still practiced in the early 21st century. He did this by promoting the Dhammayut school, which places great importance on the rules of the Vinaya. He was succeeded by Rama V, who was also an active advocate of Buddhism. For example, he commissioned the publication of a Pali Canon, which is considered one of the most important and complete of its kind in the early 21st century. A later reform placed the king in charge of the entire sangha in Thailand.
