Question

What are the reasons Buddhism spread to China, but not Hinduism (Sanatanadharma) nor Jainism?

A) Hinduism and Jainism lacked a well-organized monastic order.
B) Buddhism appealed to the Chinese emphasis on family and social order.
C) Hinduism and Jainism were too rigid in their doctrines.
D) Buddhism aligned with Chinese cultural and political developments.

Answer 1

Buddhism spread to China due to its adaptable and universal message, its structured monastic order that appealed to Chinese elites, and its compatibility with Chinese political structures and cultural traditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The spread of Buddhism to China can be attributed to a variety of factors that aligned with Chinese cultural and political developments. Unlike Hinduism and Jainism, which were more closely tied to Indian social structures and lacked a well-organized monastic order, Buddhism had a universal message and a monastic community that was adaptable and could be patronized by elites. It provided an option for life outside conventional family structures and had community management rules that were later adopted by Confucian academies. Furthermore, Buddhism resonated with Chinese traders and centralizing kings, offering universal ways to patronize and build religious and civic structures that benefitted the state. The religious flexibility within Buddhism allowed it to incorporate local practices and merge with schools of thought like Confucianism, creating a syncretic religious culture that appealed to a wide range of people in China.