131. Buddhism Goes to China

This podcast episode discusses the spread of Buddhism in China, focusing on the journey of Xuanzang, a Chinese monk who traveled to India in the 7th century CE to study Buddhism at the Nalanda monastery. The hosts explore the historical context of Buddhism's arrival in China, its initial reception as a foreign faith, and its subsequent integration into Chinese culture, alongside Confucianism and Taoism. They compare the spread of Buddhism in China to the spread of Christianity in Europe, highlighting the role of crisis and cultural exchange. The episode also touches upon the political context of China's reunification under the Sui dynasty and the role of Buddhism in this process. Xuanzang's journey is presented as a pivotal event, inspiring the popular story of the Monkey King, and his quest for authentic Buddhist scriptures is detailed.