As the Mahayana Sutras became more popular in China than the Pali Suttas – the idea of strict vegetarianism (which had spread from India via various Vinaya Discipline texts) took root (even though it was only meant initially for the monastic order). Buddhist vegetarianism was not invented in China (as the author of the below [translated] text seems to imply). It is true that at least two Emperors in China did ban meat-eating in their respective countries – and instigated an expansive vegetarianism amongst the general public (Buddhist and non-Buddhist). This meant that Buddhist monastic vegetarianism was spread throughout the Buddhist laity and beyond – and this was a transformation of Buddhist practice in general that has persisted into modern times. Much, if not all of the interfacing Chinese philosophy that at least gave structure to Chinese Ch’an (Dhyana) Buddhism arose from the “Change Classic”