The Historical Formation and Modern Transformation of Buddhism's Tradition of "Loving the Country and Loving Buddhism": Taking Dao'an's Proposition" Without Reliance on the Secular Ruler, Buddhist Undertakings Can Hardly Be Established" as the Clue

Abstract

The tradition of "loving the country and loving Buddhism" (aiguo aijiao; i.e., patriotism and devotion to Buddhism) constitutes an important value expression of contemporary Chinese Buddhism, yet its formation cannot be adequately understood as a merely modern political formulation. It is a historical tradition gradually shaped through the sinicization of Buddhism, involving scriptural translation, state-religion accommodation, monastic institutional arrangements, and public social practice. Taking Dao'an's proposition that "without reliance on the secular ruler, Buddhist undertakings can hardly be established" as the central clue, this article examines the historical development of Buddhist national identification from state-protection discourse to social service, and from reliance on political order to service of the people. Through historical-textual analysis and institutional analysis, the study discusses state-protection scriptures such as the Renwang Jing, the Golden Light Sutra, and the Brahmajāla Sūtra; the medieval practice of Dao'an; Master Taixu's modern reconstruction of Humanistic Buddhism; and the organizational embodiment of modern Chinese Buddhism. The paper argues that the internal structure of "loving the country and loving Buddhism" does not dissolve the religious spirit of Buddhism. Rather, it reflects an institutionalized reconciliation in Chinese society between Buddhism's transcendent pursuit of liberation and its ethical commitment to worldly altruism. Its contemporary significance lies in guiding Buddhist communities, while adhering to the direction of Buddhism's sinicization, to properly handle doctrinal inheritance, national identification, social responsibility, monastic education, and rule-of-law development.