A study of the life and thought of Falin : a great Buddhist defender in China

Abstract

This study examines the life and thought of the eminent monk Falin (法琳, 572-640) who dedicated his life to the promulgation and the defending of Buddhism in the early Tang dynasty (618-907). The reference materials are mainly based on Yancong’s (彥悰, a monk studying under Xuanzhang [玄奘, 602-664] in Zhenguan [貞觀, 627-649] years) three fascicles of The Independent Biography of Falin: a monk defending Buddhism in the Tang (《唐護法沙門法琳別傳》) and the other texts compiled in the Chinese Taisho Tripi_aka (《大正新脩大藏經》).

In the biography Yancong vividly demonstrated Falin’s uncommon life and his noble characters which indicate that Falin was a paradigm for Buddhists and other scholars. Falin’s excellence is reflected by his proficiency and erudition in Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and in other Chinese schools. Falin’s greatness is further identified by his grand courage, intelligence and resolution in defending Buddhism under the great pressures from the two founding rulers and Daoist alliances in the early Tang era. In addition, Falin’s two extant treatises: Poxie Lun (《破邪論》) and Bianzheng Lun (《辯正論》) which comprise abundant historical, religious, philosophical and literary information of the Three Doctrines and other ancient Chinese schools, offer valuable references for researching Chinese culture, politics, religions, social situations and their interrelationships. Moreover, Falin coincidently lived in the middle time of the four major persecutions of Buddhism in Chinese history. Hence studying Falin’s life and defence of Buddhism is equivalent to a close research on the intricate interactions of the exotic Buddhism with the Chinese ruling class, the indigenous Confucianism and Daoism in Sui (581-618) and early Tang dynasties which are the important developing periods both for the Chinese Buddhism and Daoism. With the other Buddhist defenders’ efforts, Falin in effect acted as a virtuous and brave vanguard to defer a grave persecution of Chinese Buddhism in that historical moment.

By reviewing the Chinese Buddhist developments from the late Eastern Han (25-220) to the Tang and scrutinizing Falin’s events in defending Buddhism, it can be noted that the developments and persecutions of Chinese Buddhism are not just religious disputes, competitions or ethical issues. The subject matter has to be considered in a wider view of political, economic and social relationships. I expect this research would contribute to offer readers the better understanding and reflection of: 1. Falin’s life and thought during his process of defending Buddhism; 2. the causes and effects of the early persecutions of Chinese Buddhism; 3. the intricate relationships of the Three Religions and the ruling class; 4. the fundamental and Mahayana Buddhism that Falin employed and how they benefit people; 5. the value and inspiration of Buddhism; 6. the practical and essential elements for promulgating Chinese Buddhism; 7. the modern challenges that Chinese Buddhism must consider for further developments.