How the CCP Co-opted an Ancient Buddhist Monk

Kumarajiva, a fourth-century monk and scholar responsible for translating Buddhist texts into Chinese, is venerated by the Chinese Communist Party for developing Mahayana Buddhism in China. He is held up as a historical figure to in pursuit of several key objectives; highlighting the supremacy of Chinese Buddhism as part of the CCP’s strategy to Sinicize the faith; emphasizing the importance of the Silk Road as a predecessor to the Belt and Road Initiative ; cementing China’s status as a civilization with far-reaching roots; and justifying contested territorial claims using historical revisionism and what is known as frontier archaeology. A biopic on Kumarajiva was said to “perfectly align with the current interest in the Belt and Road, and help convey Chinese history and culture to people around the world.” In other words, the CCP wants to use Kumarajiva to “tell China’s story well,” in accordance with Xi Jinping’s mantra. The CCP also uses Kumarajiva to propagate the propaganda point of “ethnic harmony” among China’s diverse ethnic minority groups. Kumarajiva’s legacy is deeply entwined with the CCP’s broader objectives, from the Sinicization of Buddhism to legitimizing territorial claims and bolstering China’s historical and civilizational narrative.