Filial Piety in Chinese Buddhism

This book investigates how Buddhism gradually integrated itself into the Chinese culture by taking filial piety as a case study because it is an important moral teaching in Confucianism and it has shaped nearly every aspect of Chinese social life. The Chinese criticized Buddhism mainly on ethical grounds as Buddhist clergies left their parents’ homes, did not marry, and were without offspring—actions which were completely contrary to the Confucian concept and practice of filial piety that emphas