Buddhism Comes to China

Today is March,9 300 AD Buddhism was introduced to China during the Han period (206 BC-220 AD). Mahayana Buddhism, the most prominent branch of Buddhism in China played an important role in shaping Chinese civilization. Trade and cultural ties between China and Central Asia increased. The Chinese people learned about Buddhism so that by the middle of the first century C.E a community of Chinese Buddhists was already in existence.After the fall of the Han Dynasty in the early third century, China faced a period of political lack of unity. Despite the war and unrest, the translation of Buddhist texts continued. During this time, Buddhism gained popularity with the Chinese people.

http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/bud/5budhism.htm