ABSTRACT
From the first century CE, many Buddhist monks from India, Parthia, Kucha, Sogdian, and other regions travelled the Silk Road to China. These missionary monks played a crucial role in shaping a Sinicised version of Buddhism over the centuries. This chapter examines the role of foreign missionary monks during the formative period of Chinese Buddhism, particularly their impact on political life. Foreign monks comprised three groups: political ideologists, who used Buddhist kingship concepts to support the legitimacy of rulers; sage teachers who served rulers; and fangshi-type ritual specialists who provided healing and divination services to the ruling class. These roles were not exclusive to foreign monks and had existed in pre-Buddhist China. This chapter will demonstrate how missionary monks exerted their influence while navigating the established politico-religious landscape.
