China: The world's cleverest country?
Untermensch
1. Buddhism
Buddhism first came to China from India via Central Asia in the 1st century A.D. As interest in Buddhism grew, there was a great demand for Buddhist texts to be translated from Indian languages into Chinese. This led to the arrival of translators from Central Asia and India. 1
Hundreds of Indian religious teachers went to China between the first to the twelfth century.2 They left China some 3,000 scriptures translated from Sanskrit into Chinese.2 One well-known Buddhist missionary is Gunavarman, a prince of Kashmir who reached Nanjing in AD 431; another famous 5th century Indian expatriate is Buddhabhadra, who lived the remainder of his life in China.2
More than two centuries later, South India sent esteemed teacher Bodhiruci to China. A Chinese envoy came to the Chalukya court in AD 692 to invite Bodhiruci to China. The monk reached China in AD 693 by sea and translated Sanskrit works. 2
Another famous Indian monk who taught in China was Prajna, who became one of two Buddhist masters at Ximing Temple in the late 8th century/early 9th century Chinese capital. (present-day Xi'an) The other Buddhist master at Ximing during Prajna's time was the Chinese Huiguo (Hui-kuo). Huiguo himself was the disciple of an Indian master Amogavajra.3
One of the last outstanding Indian teachers in China was Dharmadeva of Nalanda. He was received by the Chinese Emperor in AD 973.2
1.1.The Scriptures
According to historical records, from the end of Han Dynasty until the end of Song Dynasty, i.e. in the space of 1,000 years from the 2nd to the 12th century A.D, there had been more than 150 scholars who were frontline participants in the gigantic undertaking of translating the Tripitakas into Chinese. History books detail the contributions of 70 monk-scholars from India.4
Among these were Subhakarasimha, an Indian master of esoteric Buddhism who worked in China during the Tang Dynasty. He arrived in the Chinese capital in 716, when he was already 79. Subhakarasimha translated the Mahavairocana Sutra and other scriptures, gaining the favor of Emperor Xuanzong. Chinese Chan master Yi Xing became a student of Subhakarasimha. 5.
Four years after Subhakarasimha's arrival, another Indian monk Vajrabodhi and his student Amoghavajra also came to China, where they made selective translations of the Sarvatathagatatattvasamgraha. These three Indian masters are considered the founders of the Zhenyan Sect (a Chinese form of Vajrayāna Buddhism, which would be known in Japan as Shingon) The Indian religion grew in prestige over the next few decades, eventually diplacing the indigenous Taoism as the religion of the Chinese elite during Amoghavajra's lifetime. Amoghavajra's Chinese disciples Hanguang and Huiguo carried on his legacy.5.
1.2. The Mythology of Chinese Chan Buddhism and Da Mo (Bodhidharma)
Bodhidharma (Damo to the Chinese; Daruma to the Japanese), the 28th patriarch of Indian Buddhism, is traditionally considered the first patriarch of the Chinese Chan Buddhist lineage.6 He was a son of the king of Kanchi in southern India.2 After his father's death, Bodhidharma went to Prajnatara, the 27th Indian patriarch in succession from Buddha, and asked to be ordained as a monk.7
Following Prajnatara's suggestion, Bodhidharma went to China and eventually arrived at the Shaolin monastery in about 526.7 His first Chinese disciple Huike became the second patriarch of the Chinese Chan Buddhist lineage. In Zen mythology, Bodhidharma sat meditating facing a cave wall near the temple for nine years, ignoring the many monks who came to seek his teaching. According to legend, Bodhidharma finally took his first disciple when Huike cut off his own arm, showing Bodhidharma he understood the impermanence of the material world. Since then, the monks of Shaolin have always saluted the Buddha with only one arm.
The historical origins of Chan are obscured by mythology, and some scholars have argued that Bodhidharma might not be an actual person but an amalgation of several historical figures.8 Chan Buddhism itself developed from the meeting of Mahayana Buddhism and China's indigenous Taoism, and is arguably not the 'invention' of Bodhidharma, if he indeed existed, or any one individual for that matter.9 But the legends of Bodhidharma's long-lasting influence in China, even if not proven to be historically factual, speak to old China's positive perceptions of India's cultural contributions to the Chinese religious and cultural landscape.
1.3. The Legendary Origins of the Martial Arts of Shaolin
Although martial arts existed in China prior to the arrival of Bodhidharma, and monks at Shaolin were documented as practising martial arts before the time of Bodhidharma, the traditional attribution of Shaolin's martial arts to Bodhidharma has persisted as a popular legend.10
After Bodhidharma (Da Mo) came to the Shaolin monastery at the foot of the Songshan Mountains in north-central China, he taught the monks special breathing techniques and exercises to develop both their inner strength and their ability to defend themselves in the remote and often dangerous mountainous area in which they lived. The exercises were supposed to help the monks withstand the long periods of meditation he introduced from his Chan (Zen) school of Buddhism. Based on these exercises introduced by Bodhidharma, the Shaolin monks gradually developed a sophisticated fighting system known as Shaolin Martial Arts.11 One of the Shaolin sword forms is Shaolin Damo Jian (Shaolin Bodhidharma Sword), attributed to Damo Zushi (the patriarch Bodhidarma)12.
The legend of Bodhidharma as the originator of Shaolin kungfu been discounted by several 20th century martial arts historians13. However, the Bodhidharma-Shaolin legend, regardless of its veracity, attests to the place of India and Indians in China's mythology.
2. Chinese Mythical Figures of Indian Origin
Two of the most beloved personalities of Chinese mythology were derived from Indian mythical figures.
2.1.Sun Wukong
The character of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King made famous in the Chinese classic Journey to the West, bears similarities to Hanuman or Anjaneya, the Monkey God of the Hindu epic Ramayana.14
The 2 characters share many traits such as the skill of becoming gigantic or very tiny, the ability to assume any form, and a magical staff that the monkey can shrink to the size of a toothpick and hide in his ear.
2.2 Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara)
Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is known as Guanyin Pusa to the Chinese, Kannon Bosatsu to the Japanese, and Chenrezig to the Tibetans. In India, Japan and Tibet, he is a male figure, but the Chinese often visualize the deity in female form.15
3. Flow of Material Culture and Ideas
3.1 Cotton Cultivation
Early Chinese records mention that cotton had been brought in from India. Various dates have been given for the beginning of cotton cultivation in China, but it is generally agreed that the cultivation of cotton was introduced from India.16
3.2. Chinese Words of Indian Origin
Due to the translation of Buddhist scriptures, large numbers of Sanskrit loanwords found their way into the Chinese language during ancient times.17 Common words include:
moli - jasmine, from Sanskirt mallika
chan - meditation, from Sanskrit dhyana
Anyways, one would be a fool to have a discussion with inherently racist people of China more so the CCP paid 50 centers. Nazis 2.0.
Hey, look! Indian racists that hate racists! Now I've seen everything! I guess it's only racism when other people do it to you and not when you do it to other people.
Hey, look! Indian racists that hate racists. Now I've seen everything!
Thank you for your very informative, elaborate, well reasoned, and insightful comment, my dear Sir!
I can't help it. I have to call people out for being hypocrites.
I have to say, I peruse a lot of pro-Chinese forums, but I've never seen nearly as much racism on any of them as I have on this one forum alone. I'm not saying this to get under anyone's skin. I'm just sharing my observation.
The racism is so bad here that some of the members here don't even think of foreign-born Chinese as citizens of the nation they were born, raised, and educated in. They can't see past the skin colour.
I'm sure this goes without saying, but the most reasonable and least racist (often almost not at all racist) Indians I have ever known were all foreign-born, raised, and educated.
Last edited by gjy2105; 10-05-12 at 12:09 PM .
The only way to ensure a beautiful future for our children is to educate them WELL. Our government knows that, and I am glad.
I agree with the thought. But it does not translate into action. Most schools today are not for education. They mostly do brain washing. Its applicable in both China and India. It is even more applicable in the west as they invented the current system of education.
Currently the schools promote only those type of students who may benefit the economy.
I can't help it. I have to call people out for being hypocrites.
I have to say, I peruse a lot of pro-Chinese forums, but I've never seen nearly as much racism on any of them as I have on this one forum alone. I'm not saying this to get under anyone's skin. I'm just sharing my observation.
I wish to reply but I wont because I will get nasty in telling you things you may not want to hear. Please stop being so patronising.
CHINI EXPERT
Chinese are certainly not the cleverest.Various IQ studies...
If cleverness was the determinate for IQ, Chinese would register as brain-dead.
I wish to reply but I wont because I will get nasty in telling you things you may not want to hear. Please stop being so patronising.
It's not being patronizing to call someone out on their racism and hypocrisy. In fact, Armand2REP did a great job of showing how much of it there is here. It's not just the racism either. It's a complete ignorance or, at the very least, denial of what constitutes racism. If it's not racist to generalize an entire ethnic group as "brain dead", then you guys are living in the twilight zone.
rac·ism [rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA
noun
1.
a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2.
a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3.
hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Last edited by gjy2105; 10-05-12 at 12:29 PM .
Please direct your attention to Exhibit A.
China was never an "advanced society", it merely aped other cultures since it's long history. India first now west. Guess it's in the genes. Monkey see, monkey do. Monkey see, monkey do. Not a far cry from what racist Americans/Europeans would historically say or think about Africans.
rac·ism [rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA
noun
1.
a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2.
a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3.
hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Last edited by gjy2105; 10-05-12 at 12:34 PM .
Senior Member
Chinese are certainly not the cleverest. Various IQ studies have confirmed that chinese average 100 in IQ which is generally on par with western european countries, but lower than korean or japanese averages which are around 105. But indians average 80 (established factum through numerous studies), clearly among the world's least intelligent people, only pure negros fare even worse (70 or less). According experts an average IQ of 90 is needed to industrialize the nation.
In a way the future of india is written in the genes, there is nothing man (congress, BJP , Allah, Jesus or the hindu gods) can do about it.
To this day there are only 2 kinds of countries that have managed to develope an advanced societies: majority caucasian based or majority east-asian based. Caucasians and east asians share one important trait: they are all pale-skinned people evolved in harsh climates of the ice ages.
China was never an "advanced society", it merely aped other cultures since it's long history. India first now west. Guess it's in the genes.
Monkey see, monkey do.
Please direct your attention to Exhibit A.
Monkey see, monkey do. Not a far cry from what racist Americans/Europeans would historically say or think about Africans.
rac·ism [rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA
noun
1.
a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2.
a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3.
hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Wow... You saw Dovah's post but not the post to which he responded to! Please do direct some of your moral science and grammar classes to your fellow countrymen!
I don't know how you were raised and educated, but I was never taught that racism is the appropriate response to racism. On the contrary, I was raised and educated to believe that doing so was precisely the worst kind of reaction to have. It only feeds the fire.
In fact, I'll have you know that I've been bombarded with, even personally targeted, by this forum's racism since the first day I started posting and lurking here. It's really not even subtle at all. It's right there, out in the open for everyone to see.
Last edited by gjy2105; 10-05-12 at 12:52 PM .
Untermensch
Monkey see, monkey do. Not a far cry from what racist Americans/Europeans would historically say or think about Africans.
rac·ism [rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA
noun
1.
a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2.
a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3.
hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
But indians average 80 (established factum through numerous studies), clearly among the world's least intelligent people, only pure negros fare even worse (70 or less). According experts an average IQ of 90 is needed to industrialize the nation.
Your fellow Chinese.
In a way the future of india is written in the genes , there is nothing man (congress, BJP , Allah, Jesus or the hindu gods) can do about it.
To this day there are only 2 kinds of countries that have managed to develope an advanced societies: majority caucasian based or majority east-asian based.
That was what i was hinting at, since racist tendencies are ingrained into the Chinese school of thought they find posts like those normal if coming from their own countrymen.
You just proved my point. Now go run to the dictionary again.
Oh! btw, Monkey see, monkey do - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oh yes. I totally forgot. You must believe that racism is the correct way to respond to racism. I'm sure that doesn't feed the fire and propagate the behavior at all.
Also, it's nice of you to clarify that the saying doesn't have racist origins. Unfortunately, it doesn't change the fact that it's racist to apply it to an entire ethnic group.
If you really want to stamp out this problem of racism, you can start by dealing with people as individuals instead of classifying entire ethnic groups as having trait A, trait B, or trait C.
Last edited by gjy2105; 10-05-12 at 01:03 PM .
It's not being patronizing to call someone out on their racism and hypocrisy. In fact, Armand2REP did a great job of showing how much of it there is here. It's not just the racism either. It's a complete ignorance or, at the very least, denial of what constitutes racism. If it's not racist to generalize an entire ethnic group as "brain dead", then you guys are living in the twilight zone.
rac·ism [rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA
noun
1.
a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2.
a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3.
hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Indians deny not being racist. Its the rest of the world who claim they are not which is bull shit.
It is sad to see what a LITTLE white man's saying causing so much racist exchange between people of two BIG countries. If the PISA result was not officially announced, why care?
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