Buddhist Art, Law, And Manuscript Culture

Instability between religious groups was also a common issue and yet another effect of the spread of Buddhism in China, and led to the consistent repression or defense of one’s religion (Doc’s 2, 3). Though Buddhism left a large effect and influence on multiple characteristics of society, it’s most noticeable in social and political classes

Confucian scholars and the emperor attacked Buddhism as an outlandish, barbaric belief. “The Memorial of Buddhism” written by Han Yu, a Confucian scholar, opposes Buddhism when the emperor decides to bring “the finger bone of Buddha” into the Chinese palace. He shows the unjust actions of the emperor by referring back to Confucian teachings such as keeping “[ghosts and spirits] at a distance”. The scholar also describes how Buddhism is barbaric because it does not conform to any Chinese laws or Confucian teachings (Doc. 4). As a Confucian scholar, he favored the relationship between “sovereign and subject” and traditional dress. He did not want

During the Han Dynasty, Buddha’s teachings were introduced to China by Central-Asian traders and received little support from the Han dynasty rulers. However, after the collapse of the Han Dynasty, the country was fragmented. While northern China was dominated by invaders from the borderland and steppes, southern China was ruled by continuous “Chinese” dynasties. As a result, Buddhism appealed to people who felt baffled by the loss of an anticipated and durable society. Subsequently, in 581 CE, Sui emperor Wendi reunified China with this new religion and gained state support, therefore further spreading Buddhism. It was not until the Tang Dynasty did the Chinese rulers realize the threat Buddhism had posed on them. Consequently, during the

Xinru Liu, the author of The Silk Roads: A Brief History with Documents, claimed that “of the religions that prevailed in [the Kushan] territories…Buddhism was among the most influential”(11). In this essay, I will attempt to demonstrate why Buddhism had a significant impact on societies along the Silk Roads. This significant impact of Buddhism is evident in the culture, economy, and religions attitudes of the people living along the Silk Roads.

The main focus of Buddhism is that the faith centers on correct understanding of human nature and ultimate reality, The Buddha was also called the Enlightened One, he taught that the way to eliminate suffering begins with understanding the true nature of the world. He rejected speculation about such matters as God, the nature of the universe, and the afyterlife, urging his folloers to focus instead on the Four Noble Truths by which they can free themselves from suffering. “We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by God.” The disbelief in God does not make Buddhism an atheistic religion. The Buddha rejected the concept of the atman, or soul. In

Buddhism was a powerful force in politics and in everyday life. It was a tool of the ruling class to appease the people in times of hardship - such as the political disunity in between dynasties. However, when the times changed, Buddhism was also blamed for much of the trouble, and for edging out the much more strict doctrine of Confucianism. Most of the documents presented indicated a spread nonetheless of Buddhism among the people. Additional documents needed to further evaluate the response to Buddhism should be from a source of a slightly lower class, such as a merchant, or a view from a convert to Buddhism - since most views seem to be from Confucian

Wu Zhao, the first female emperor of China, rose to power during the Tang Dynasty and her active role with Buddhism fabricated a perpetual impact in the Chinese society as a whole. There is no doubt that Buddhism and the Tang administration, under Wu’s reign, formed a symbiotic relationship with one another. She is considered to be one of the most prominent advocators of the religion during the era. Her efforts to spread of Buddhism and the monetary support help Buddhism to expand throughout the people significantly, which provide the religion another source of financial income to spread even further. Regardless of Empress Wu’s intention, she has furnished the religion in numerous ways, but what did she receive in return? This proposes

Many of the oldest recorded paleographical records that are left from China’s ancient history have shown the significance of communication with the spiritual world. The concept of the Chinese spiritual world evolved large from the Chinese focus on filial piety and the harmony that exists between those alive and deceased. A diviner would use his or her interpretation to assist patrons in how to proceed by interpreting events, signs or contact with forces that are supernatural.

Pu, Muzhou. In Search of Personal Welfare: A View of Ancient Chinese Religion. Albany: State

Art that was connected to the afterlife typically was symbolic of objects needed for use after death and these were limited to the very wealthy. Although sometimes included on a grand scale, such objects spoke less about the beliefs of the afterlife and more about what was important to each individual before death. Additionally, the most common death-related art focused not on burial or the afterlife, but instead on the practice of the living honoring their ancestors. This lack of evidence linking the afterlife to the art of ancient China supports the thesis of this essay. There was, in fact, even less evidence of a correlation between the two than expected. In fact, art in ancient Chinese culture, even the art related to deceased relatives,

Buddhism is one of the major religions around the world. It was introduced to China during the Han dynasty. Although Buddhism was not as popular during that time, it brought great influence during the Period of Disunion. Buddhism was introduced around Asian Lands including Japan and Korea. It included many aspects of Chinese culture, such as art, literature, and architecture. Buddhism was extremely important from about 400 to 845, and is known as the Age of Buddhism. The religion’s golden age came to an end when a Tang emperor launched a campaign against the religion. This included burning many Buddhist texts, taking lands from Buddhist temples, destroying

During the centuries of disunity in China, the Chinese supported and defended Buddhist influence from India. An anonymous Chinese scholar (like many other Buddhist scholars) created a “guide” for Chinese Buddhists to defend against the false suspicions of Chinese critics (Doc 3); however, since the author is anonymous, it is unknown whether he is as credible as other Chinese scholars such as Zhi Dun. Zhi

We have covered the general accounts of human nature found in Confucianism and Taoism in light of the historical backdrop of the Period of Warring States. Use your responses to the following general questions below as an opportunity to refer either to the Smith text and accompanying assigned scriptures(s), Smith video(s) on China, Confucianism, and Taoism, or any additional material covered in class. Look ahead to the next question on the chun tzu in order to plan on avoiding repetition of answers verbatim within each essay if there are areas of potential overlap.

The effect of Buddhism in China was one of the most profound changes China ever had, as it affected their economy. This time, economy brought about religion; Buddhism came into China through international trade. As South Asian countries came into China, they spread their religion which at that time was majorly Buddhism. To gain favor from the foreign traders, the emperors showed frivolities towards them. “Tang emperors spent huge sums of money on Buddhism” (Dubois, 2011, p. 34). They constructed Buddhist monasteries, excluded monks from taxes and lavished them with other benefits. In one sentence, the emperors at that time, sought to seek the face of Buddhist he monks at the expense of the economy. On a lighter note however, the spread of Buddhism increased the economy of China as it created revenue in trade. “Up till the twentieth century, Tang dynasty was the most cosmopolitan period of China’s history. Politically, emperors had conflicts of interest and so alternatively chose Buddhism or Daoism in succession” (Dubois, p. 34).

Wong Tai Sin Temple, located in Wong Tai Sin district of Kowloon in Hong Kong, was established in 1921. As one of the most important Taoist Architecture, the social function of Wong Tai Sin Temple has experienced some changes from the basic religious function, which protect the temple to survive under British colonial rule and promote the development of Taoism in the modern society. This paper provides an analysis of how the Wong Tai Sin Temple developed its social functions to realize the rebirth in modern society and try to find some suggestions for other religious architecture in China.