Hinduism in China

There are age old instances of cultural links between India and China. There were numerous scholars and travelers who travelled to India, for the sole purpose of being able to renew their educational standpoints. Many are unaware that Chinese culture has been inter-twined with Hindu roots and this can be traced back to the earliest times. Even the word “Mandarin” which was associated with their dialect years ago has originated from a Sanskrit word “Mantri” which was carried from India to China.

Hinduism is commonly practiced by a small fraction of the citizens of China. Modern China has a limited spectrum of residents involved with Hindi ideas but China when dated back to the ancient times shows a forgotten record of widespread ideas of Hinduism that were present in several regions in the 6 th century. Even the royal family of China had a Hindu lineage for two complete generations.

History and Origin

The early onset of Hindu notions in China can be seen via the spread of Buddhism. This became the common ground for exchange of ideas which then grew to other specific Hindu ideas that were infused in the cultural structure. Several bits from ancient Indian traditions like Yoga and Meditational Chanting

were popularly adapted in China.

The advent of Hinduism in China even had a more physical presence in their mainland. Tamil merchant guilds of Manugramam and Ayyavole resided in the southern regions of China. There is evidence of several Hindu temple and symbolic motifs that have been discovered in South east China. Hong Kong and the neighboring regions witnessed an immigration of Hindu communities in small numbers within the region. In many regions of China paintings and carvings and temples of Hinduism have been acknowledged. The existence of deities like Ganesha in the cave temples and other arts depicting Hinduism have been seen.

These can be some existing reasons as to why Hinduism continued to hold a place and establish its roots in China.

Hinduism and literature

A very common sight of Hindu way of living in Chinese culture is the popularly seen influence of the six- school belief. The six schools or six includes six umbrella contexts of teachings originally linked with Hinduism. These have been adopted by China and can be witnessed in the form of yoga, stupas and

other relevant teachings.

Ancient Chinese scriptures also reflect Sanatan Dharma. This can be dated back right up to the second century upto the twelfth century AD. There are records of translations of Sanskrit texts into Chinese that were partially or wholly integrated into the lives of the people in the era. Samhitas and Shastras have been translated here as well. Ironically, some misplaced Sanskrit scriptures from India, dating back to these times, have been discovered as a translated compilation in China in later years. These include scriptures like Jin Qi Shi Lun and Yijing’s translations which were the translated version of the Sanskrit scriptures Sankhya-Karikan and Harivamsa respectively. Along with these, there are traces of some hints of mythology including Ramayana and Mahabharata that can be picked up from archaeological writings. The intense study of gods and goddesses like Durga and Sarasvati has also been seen in these findings. The concept of associating the gods with knowledge, music, arts in Hinduism was later seen as Chinese Biàncáitian or the goddess with militant powers. Several such instances of cultural diffusion can be observed.

Thus, the amalgamation of Hinduism can be seen emerging as a different and beautiful entity throughout Chinese culture.