Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.14

v1.c7.14

Buddhism originated in India. During the Han Dynasty, the Chinese knew about Indian Buddhism. Volume 118 of the *Hou Han shu* (*History of the Later Han*) records: “(India) is a country near by the sea where soldiers do battle on elephants. Its people are weaker than the Yuezhi. They practice the Buddhist path of non-violence, and that has become their custom. Buddha is named *Fo* (*in Chinese*).” Buddhism has been the bond in the religious and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Dominating international communication of religion and culture, it was the most important basis for foreign relations between the peoples of ancient India and China. It has also influenced the lives of Chinese people for more than 2,000 years and still plays an important role. In the two-way communication of Buddhism and culture between the two countries, the main aspect is the transmission of Indian Buddhism to China. The Chinese traditional culture and thought also to some extent were once transmitted to India.