Exploring the Development and Future Prospects of a Shared Field for Tibetan and Han Buddhism in the Chengdu Region

DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1674-9391.2024.07.011

Abstract：

The Chengdu region can be considered an intersectional area where Tibetan and Han Buddhists interact and co-generate." Its regional characteristics are a product of the interplay between" natural geographical conditions and historical cultural background." Accounts furthermore suggest that" Chengdu has served as a cultural" nexus for the" Central Plains culture since the Qin Dynasty." There is a rich tapestry of" ancient Shu culture， Di-Qiang culture， Central Plains culture， and other culturally significant forms， all of which have coexisted and evolved under the influence of local geographic conditions. In addition， these cultural forms have undergone a prolonged process of localization， interaction， exchange， and integration， resulting in a typical composite" environment of multicultural coexistence. After the Tang Dynasty，" Chengdu became the focal point for political relations， commercial exchanges， military interactions， and cultural communications between the Central Plains dynasties and" southwestern ethnic minorities， extending its influence to surrounding areas." Data further reports that ever since the Song Dynasty， the Central Plains court officially established the tea-horse trade system with local powers in" Xizang， solidifying the Ancient Tea Horse Road" as a key trade route. Besides， from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China， the Chengdu region，" emerged as" a temporal and spatial node for the exchange" and integration of Han and Tibetan cultures，" shaped by" its unique geographical characteristics." As two distinct yet interrelated branches of Buddhism， Tibetan Buddhism and Han Buddhism" have been serving as an anchor point for Han-Tibetan cultural exchanges， and also" the cultural core for constructing their shared space in the Chengdu region.

It is also found that the historical interactions between these divergent yet mutually originating Buddhist traditions have facilitated multicultural interaction and integration in southwestern China. As a result， numerous Buddhist temples in Chengdu exhibit significant historical evidence of the communications， interactions， and integrations between Tibetan and Han Buddhist cultures， often incorporating elements from both cultures and showcasing the coexistence of multicultural influences." At the same time， the prominent presence of Han Buddhist elite discourse in the Tibetan Buddhist sphere and the manifestation of Tibetan Buddhist elements within the Han Buddhist context are significant features of the shared space of" both traditions" in Chengdu." Based on this， the communications， interactions and integrations of Tibetan and Han Buddhist cultures in the Chengdu region reflect a contemporary status characterized by current features.

To conclude， in the macro context of fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation， Chengdu can be viewed as an important temporal and spatial node for the communication of Tibetan and Han Buddhist cultures. As such， its role will likely prove irreplaceable in the future construction of common cultural intersections and regional composite cultural contexts among the Chinese nation. Practically， this study also judges that the construction and foundations for a shared field of Tibetan and Han Buddhism in the Chengdu region offer significant references and insights for" regional economic rejuvenation， strategies for the adaptation of Tibetan Buddhism to the Chinese context， and the" normalized construction of a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation.

Key Words：

Chengdu region; Tibetan Buddhism; Han Buddhism; shared field