by Carol Tong

Buddhism has been one of the most influential religions in Asia.  Its founder was Siddhartha Gautama, born in 566 B.C. at Kapilavastu, India.  His name was later changed to Buddha, which meant “He who has attained his aim.” 

At the age of 29, though he was married to one of the fairest maidens in the land and had a son by her, he felt a sense of emptiness.  As a result, he decided to leave his family to find salvation for himself and for his fellow man.  After six years on his journey, while meditating under a Bodhi Tree, he finally developed a deep and thorough insight into the nature of existence.  He had become The Buddha, The Fully Enlightened One. 

Buddhism entered China in the first century C.E. and soon played a major role in the religious life of the entire nation.  Temples were built on mountaintops where the common people worshiped the myriad Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Even emperors and aristocrats bowed before the holy Buddha images.  China was considered the “second birthplace of Buddhism.” 

Not only does Buddhism play a key role in China’s religious life, but it also has a significant role in Chinatown.  Buddhist temples in Chinatown serve as a supportive network where immigrants can find assistance and comfort.  New immigrants often arrive from rural villages in China and are not accustomed to urban life.  Therefore, they need financial and emotional support.  Most work long hours for low wages because they need to pay back the money they borrowed to come to the United States.  Many of the immigrants that attend the temples have similar experiences coming to New York’s Chinatown as well as sufferings and hardships they must go through in order to survive.