Buddhist Heritage as Bridge in Sino-Nepal Cultural Connections

Saroj Gautam

During my time as a student at China Foreign Affairs University, I frequently visited nearby White Stupa at Beijing's Miaoying Temple, where I felt a profound connection due to its design by Araniko, a renowned 13th-century Nepali architect. This connection is further emphasized by the privilege granted to Nepali citizens, who can enter the temple free of charge, suggesting a recognition of symbolic ownership over this shrine. On my first visit, I was struck not just by the Nepali essence of the stupa but also by witnessing an elderly Chinese woman quietly praying before a gilded Buddha, evoking reminiscent of similar scenes in Nepali stupas and monasteries. As I traveled to different parts of China, I realized how deeply ingrained Buddhist culture is throughout the nation and how much peoples living in the two countries are connected.

White Stupa in Beijing is one of many monuments illustrating China's rich Buddhist heritage with their historical, cultural and architectural connections with Nepal. UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Wutai Shan in Shanxi, the Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan, the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu; are few examples. The Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan, containing over 2,300 caves and more than 100,000 intricately carved Buddha statues; further exemplify the vast Buddhist art collections in different parts of China. Likewise, in Datong, Shanxi, another grotto complex features 53 caves with over 51,000 Buddhist statues. Other significant sites include Mount Putuo on Zhoushan Island, Mount Jiuhua in Anhui, the White Horse Temple and Shaolin Temple in Henan, Lama Temple in Beijing, Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Xizang, Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Donglin Temple in Jiangxi, and Famen Temple in Shaanxi.

The Buddhist Heritage sites in China, including temples and pagodas, are also reminder of a deep-rooted civilizational connection with Nepal, facilitating exchanges among pilgrims, artists, and scholars across the Himalayas. In the context of scholarly exchanges and Buddhist pilgrimage, the fourth and fifth centuries CE marked a significant period of Sino-Nepal interaction, initiated by Chinese monk Faxian and Nepali monk Buddhabhadra. Faxian made a momentous pilgrimage on foot to Nepal, where he visited crucial Buddhist sites such as Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, and Kapilavastu. He returned to China with Buddhist scriptures and worked in collaboration with Buddhabhadra to translate them into Chinese. This collaboration had a profound impact on the localized Buddhist practices in China. In seven century, Xuanzang, another key figure, undertook a 19-year pilgrimage from Chang'an to South Asia, including Nepal's Lumbini, providing valuable historical insights and reinforcing cross-Himalayan civilizational ties.

In the seventh century, a significant milestone was recorded as the commencement of artistic and cultural exchanges between China and Nepal. Bhrikuti, the daughter of Nepal's Licchavi king Amshuvarma, as queen of King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet, played a pivotal role in introducing Buddhism and Buddhist architecture to Xizang (Tibet) through Vajrayana scriptures and Newari Buddhism. This introduction fostered the evolution of Tibetan Buddhism while reinforcing Nepali traditions of spirituality as well as artistic expression. During her marriage, accompanied with Bhrikuti were some skilled craftsmen, paving enriched artistic exchanges, including notable figures such as Arniko in later centuries. This interchange signifies a continuous and enduring Sino-Nepal public diplomacy, highlighting centuries of cultural and artistic collaboration.

The interwoven history of civilizational Sino-Nepal ties has significantly influenced the localization of Buddhism in China. Analyzing the various forms of Buddhism practiced, three primary branches emerge: Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism, each finding its unique expression. Han Buddhism, found in central and eastern areas like Beijing and Sichuan, predominantly follows Mahayana traditions with significant influence from Pure Land and Chan (Zen) schools, integrating Confucian and Daoist elements for enhanced understanding. Similarly, Tibetan Buddhism, primarily practiced in the Xizang Autonomous Region and adjacent areas, embraces Vajrayana practices, with notable cultural sites such as Songzanlin Monastery. The Theravada Buddhism is observed among specific ethnic groups in southwestern Yunnan. The coexistence of Buddhist practices with local rituals, ancestor veneration, and deities often results in hybrid forms of devotion, while Buddhist shrines function as cultural rather than solely religious sites.

The Buddhist heritage in China illustrates not only the cultural and civilizational connections between Sino-Nepal but also highlights how these historical trajectories have significantly influenced bilateral relations, promoting peaceful coexistence. Peace philosophy of Buddha and Confucius is epitomized in the term Panchasheel, symbolizing the age-old friendship between countries linked by mountains and rivers. Buddha's Middle Path and Confucian Harmony serve as vital guiding philosophies for Sino-Nepal relationship. Over the decades after the formalization, this friendship has evolved into strategic cooperation, illustrated by Nepal's unwavering commitment to One-China Policy and China's recognition for Nepal's sovereign equality. These shared values and historical connections continue to underpin the diplomatic landscape in the Himalayan neighborhood. However, in assessing the potential for collaboration in Buddhist Heritage, it is evident that gaps exist.

Trans-Himalayan Buddhist Heritage Circuit

Nepal attracts several hundred thousand tourists from China each year; however, the pilgrimage routes connecting key Buddhist sites such as Lumbini, Mustang, and various trans-Himalayan monasteries are underdeveloped. This situation presents an opportunity to establish a Trans-Himalayan Buddhist Heritage Circuit that encompasses the paths historically traversed by figures like Faxian, Buddhabhadra, Bhrikuti, and Arniko. Such a corridor could serve as a significant civilizational link between the two countries residing on the two sides of Mt. Everest. Furthermore, the potential for enhancing youth exchange programs focusing on intangible Buddhist heritages under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) also looks promising. The Buddhist cultural heritages in China not only symbolize the historical friendship that has been cultivated between two neighbors but also highlight a shared civilizational legacy grounded in Buddhist philosophy and art. This enduring bond has played a crucial role in fostering peaceful bilateral relations over many centuries. With such tangible connections rooted in culture, an institutional frameworks to fully express and enhance this cultural kinship is imperative.

(The author is a PhD in International Relations, and is currently associated with Center for Nepal Studies at East China University of Technology as Researcher.)