Buddhism has a history of 2,000 years in China. Currently China has 13,000-some Buddhist temples and about 200,000 Buddhist monks and nuns. Among them are 120,000 lamas and nuns, more than 1,700 Living Buddhas, and 3,000-some temples of Tibetan Buddhism and nearly 10,000 Bhiksu and senior monks and more than 1,600 temples of Pali Buddhism.
Buddhism, the dominant religious philosophy in China, first arrived during the Han Dynasty and played a central role in Chinese culture and history. Generally speaking, Buddhism in China can be categorized into Han, Tibetan and Southern Buddhism. Chinese Buddhism refers collectively to the various schools of Buddhist thought that have flourished in China since ancient times. These schools have integrated the ideas of Confucianism, Taoism and other indigenous philosophical systems so that what was initially a foreign religion (the buddhadharma from India) came to be a natural part of Chinese civilization, albeit with its own unique character.
Buddhism has played an enormous role in shaping the mindset of the Chinese people. Chinese aesthetics, politics, literature, philosophy and medicine have all been greatly influenced by Buddhism. During the Tang Dynasty Chinese Buddhism peaked and produced numerous spiritual masters of outstanding brilliance. Their legacy is among China's greatest treasures.
Beijing houses many celebrated Buddhist temples.
