In China’s “One Belt, One Road” Initiative, a plan to revive the ancient Silk Road and develop new trade routes, Buddhism has been very important cultural link for countries along the way.
In northwest China’s Xi’an, the capital city of Shaanxi Province, Ajay Krishma, an Indian student working on his PHD in Buddhism in China has truly felt the significance of the religion.
"As an Indian student, I am able to understand Pali, Hindi, English and Chinese. I think I read and reference Buddhist scriptures from an academic point of view. I can see the cultural links between China and India," said Ajay.
During his studies, Ajay often visited Daxingshan temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in China, where Indian monks translated Buddhist sutras and promulgated Buddhist doctrines. It’s also the birthplace of Chinese Tantric Buddhism.
Buddhism in China dated back to the 7th century, when the famous Chinese monk and traveler Xuan Zang stayed in India for 16 years to translate scriptures and spread Buddhist thinking.
As the new trade route aims to inject a strong impetus in enhancing political trust, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges among relevant countries, experts say this shared past is deeply relevant to present efforts to rebuild the Silk Road.
"The history of the ancient Silk Road can be traced in one continuous line. Today's Silk Road represents exchanges of political ideas and cultural exchanges. It’s a full opening up to outside world. It’s the rise of a Chinese nation ready to take on more responsibility," said Li Li’an, professor from the Institute of Buddhism of Northwest University.
