Meditation Before the Image of Buddha (Excerpt)

By Eryue He

Trans. by Wang Xiao（王骁）

It is interesting to notice that in Chinese history Buddhism seems always concomitant with poetry. The order of their appearance is nowhere to know, or they both shine, adding radiance to each other. It appears that they share the same trend of vicissitudes, such as in Han and Tang dynasties, which is “almost the case” also in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

Another interesting thing in the world is that the country where religions come into being always loses them. Those saint founders of religions are either driven desperate by their countrymen or rebuffed everywhere, with their head broken and bleeding. Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, seems to have received a better treatment. But Buddhism prospers after its introduction to China while losing its vitality in its home India.

It is said that the Shaolin Temple explodes in popularity because of the film The Shaolin Temple^[1]. It is true, but not exactly true, for I think that the fundamental reason of the Temple’s prosperity lies in its inherently cultural implications.

It is from the monk’s “fist” rather than its “Zen” that the Shaolin Temple gains considerable fame. Most people visit the Temple to see the several pits punched by fists which are so hard and so strong in hitting^[2], while only nerds would lose themselves before Standing in Snow Pavil-ion^[3]. It is proved by historical recordings and paintings that 13 Kungfu monks have saved Li Shimin, Prince of Tang^[4]. With such great achievements, Buddhism naturally received strong support from the central government and thus became more prestigious. In retrospect, Xuanzang^[5] stole into India but returned with the government’s grand welcome. At first, the power among courtiers for ruining Buddhism and opposing Buddhism-flattery was of great influence. But as the situation changed, we see a closer combination between the official and Buddhism and thus perceive the cultural tastes and openness of the Tang government. The two cultures finally shake hands with each other after so many adjustments, becoming cooperative friends by dispelling original slight enmity.

Such handshake establishes numerous grand and amazing temples, creating a magnificent spectacle. Maybe as arranged by heaven, the great and unparalleledly beautiful Tang poetry, another branch of Chinese culture, emerged at the proper moment.

I love such fascinating culture.

Notes:

[1] It is a 1982 Chinese martial arts film directed by Chang Hsin Yen and starring Jet Li. Based on the Shaolin Temple in China and depicting Shaolin Kungfu, the film became popular throughout China.

[2] It is said that Kungfu monks practice Kungfu by punching the wall at that time.

[3] Also known as Bodhidharma Bower, it is a Ming building in memory of Huike’s legendary standing in snow for pleading Bodhidharma as his teacher.

[4] A legend recording the 13 Kungfu monks’ salvation of Li Shimin (598—649), Prince of Qin, later known as Emperor Taizong of Tang dynasty. He is here mistaken for Prince of Tang.

[5] Xuanzang (602—664) was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler, and translator who travelled to India in the seventh century in search of sacred books of Buddhism.