Is Jianzhen’s journey to the East really meant to promote Buddhism?

If we want to choose a dynasty that best represents the image of China, then the Tang Dynasty must be second to none. During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, the country's fortunes were prosperous, and at the same time, religions were also most prosperous, with Buddhism being the most prosperous. Before Monk Jianzhen traveled eastward to Japan, Master Xuanzang had traveled to Tianzhu, which was the first monk to go on an mission. So did Jianzhen's eastward journey to Japan have the same purpose as Xuanzang? We have to talk about the social background and historical process at that time.

The social background of the Tang Dynasty

As we all know, the Tang Dynasty was an amazing feudal dynasty. Its economy and culture were highly developed among many countries at the same time. Its national power was so strong that it was in a leading position in the world at that time. At that time, envoys, businessmen, and even scholars and monks from big and small countries all yearned for Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty. In their opinion, in addition to studying, missionary work, and economic and trade, what made them feel worthwhile in the world was to have a glimpse of the unparalleled splendor of the Tang Dynasty.

At the same time, the Tang Dynasty also sent many envoys to foreign countries. In the first year of Zhenguan, Yang Liangyao was ordered by the emperor to visit the country of Black Clothes and Food as an ambassador. He was the first envoy sent by our country to a country along the Mediterranean Sea. In the 17th year of Zhenguan of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yibiao and Wang Xuance were named envoys and accompanied the Indian envoys to apply for employment. In the 19th year of Zhenguan, they arrived in the Kingdom of Magadha.

Furthermore, the convenient transportation and management system of the Tang Dynasty facilitated international exchanges. In the Tang Dynasty, not only land routes were accessible to various places, but also many sea routes were opened, three of which led to Japan. There are other sea lanes, such as the sea lanes starting from Guangzhou and crossing the South China Sea to Southeast Asia, West Asia and East Africa. Therefore, Datang had a high international reputation at that time and became the center of economic and cultural exchanges with countries around the world.

The prosperity of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty

The positive stabilizing effect of Buddhism on society

Since ancient times, people have gradually gained a deeper understanding of the world and their understanding of the soul. Gradually, as we have emotions, we seek spiritual sustenance, whether out of reverence for nature or sustenance of the soul, religion has gradually become an indispensable and important prerequisite for the development of the entire human society.

Like Taoism and Confucianism, Buddhism gives people spiritual motivation and rules for doing things in the world. Historically, the stabilizing effect of religious beliefs on society has been witnessed by future generations, so many ruling classes have vigorously developed religion. Such was the prosperity of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty.

The rulers’ admiration for Buddhism

The Tang Dynasty was an era of openness, freedom, and enterprising creativity, and the development of religion was also in sync with this. The reason why Buddhism can be praised by everyone is inseparable from its own characteristics and the instructions of the rulers at that time. Since ancient times, in order to strengthen their imperial rule, rulers have often associated themselves with gods, or claimed that what they are doing is the will of God. Furthermore, they have used religious legends to fabricate their life experiences in order to gain more support and recognition.

Buddhism began to develop during the Sui Dynasty, and the Tang Dynasty paid more attention to Buddhism. Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty once issued an edict to establish monasteries across the country and set up a special sutra translation institute. He also spent a lot of time to invite well-known eminent monks at home and abroad to come to the sutra translation institute to translate Buddhist scriptures and promote Buddhism. As a result, a large number of eminent monks and Buddhist scholars were cultivated.

During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, official temples were opened in the imperial capital and various states to pray for peace and prosperity for the country and the people. During Wu Zetian's reign, Buddhist temples were built on a large scale across the country, and Dayun Temples were established in various states. Buddhism was further promoted and developed during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian.

Jianzhen's Journey to the East

Jianzhen, a world-famous Buddhist master in the Tang Dynasty, was very knowledgeable. He became a monk at the age of fourteen. He studied in Chang'an and Luoyang, and later settled in Yangzhou. Daming Temple not only has profound knowledge of Buddhism, but also has profound attainments in medicine, literature, and architecture.

China and Japan have been in contact since the Han Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, the exchanges and cultural exchanges between the two countries became more frequent. Japan continued to send "Tang envoys" and overseas students to the Tang Dynasty to study Central Plains Buddhism and other science and technology. In the first year of Xuanzong's Tianbao reign, two island country scholars, Seng Rong and Puzhao, begged Master Jianzhen to send his disciples to Japan to spread Buddhism and educate the people. Jianzhen's Buddhist will was uncompromising, so he agreed.

At that time, the sea route was too long and navigation technology was not very mature. Many of Jianzhen’s disciples felt anxious when they thought about this kind of narrow-death crossing. However, Jianzhen refused to listen to dissuasion and continued his eastward journey.

At that time, the Tang Dynasty officials did not give any permission for Jianzhen to go east as an "embassy". How could a highly respected and knowledgeable monk go as an envoy to an island country far away from the ocean? Is it possible for him to go there simply? What he brought with him was not only Buddhist scriptures but also the most advanced and mature technology in the Central Plains at that time. Therefore, the Tang Dynasty did not agree to Japan's direct request for Jianzhen to go eastward, bypassing the official government.

Historically, Jianzhen’s eastward journey was an act of smuggling, which was already a violation of the laws of the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, Jianzhen's several failed attempts to cross eastward were often stopped by the government, so that the government later sent officials to arrest him and bring him to justice. However, because the ruling class of the Tang Dynasty attached great importance to Buddhism, the status of the famous monks was even greater, so Jianzhen himself did not suffer any loss.

Regarding the historical records of Jianzhen’s eastward journey, Jianzhen planned six eastward journeys. The first five times failed. During Jianzhen's fifth eastward crossing, the ferry that drifted for fourteen days docked at Hainan Island due to wind and waves. Jianzhen suffered from a serious eye disease due to exhaustion and heat. In the end, he was not treated in time and became blind. It took twelve years from Jianzhen's preparation for his first eastward journey to his sixth successful eastward journey. Jianzhen finally successfully arrived in Japan with the Japanese envoy to the Tang Dynasty who was preparing to return home. Along with it were many precious Buddhist cultural relics from the Central Plains. In Japan, Jianzhen has the status of the emperor's guru, and his status far exceeds that of ordinary monks and mages.