Effects Of The Spread Of Buddhism Dbq

China was affected tremendously by the spread of Buddhism from 300 to 900 C.E. Buddhism itself was spread to China around 100 C.E by Indian missionaries, and after taking hold during the Era of Division (300s-500s), it became a household religion (particularly the Mahayana and Chan variations . Buddhism’s popularity rose consistently from the late Han dynasty through it’s peak during Empress Wu’s rule in the late 600s and early 700s. But, the religion’s popularity fell sharply during Emperor Wuzong’s reign as the persecution of Buddhism grew common (CONTEXT). The spread of Buddhism affected all classes and people of China in different ways; Chinese peasants were able to worship this religion regardless of education or social position (though

When Buddhism first spread into China, it was met with mixed responses. Many people either accepted it and converted to Buddhism or respected the new religion while maintaining their own beliefs. However, many people openly proclaimed their hate towards Buddhism.

In the sixth century B.C.E., the religion of Buddhism was founded in India. Seven centuries later, the religion would find itself arriving in China in the midst of the Han Dynasty. In China, there were many different views of the religion as it arrived and spread throughout the country. There were two main responses to the religion. One response was that Buddhism could stand alongside other Chinese religions and philosophies such as Confucianism, as it could do a lot of good for China; while another view was that Buddhism had no place in China, as it came from foreign people and was barbaric, stealing from the Chinese.

After its spread into China during the first century CE, Buddhism received several responses and perspectives over the course of the centuries that followed. Initially, people began to accept Buddhism when it was first introduced because they wanted stability after the collapse of the Han Dynasty during 220 CE as it promoted security. As time went on, people began to see the faults of Buddhism as imperial structure was restored in China during the Sui and Tang Dynasties around 570 CE, along with Confucianism being implemented once again. In between these responses were those who had an intermediate and neutral response to Buddhism, seeing it as equal to other philosophies at the time.

In document 4, the Chinese xenophobic mindset appears that Buddha was foreign and barbaric. Han Yu, the Confucian scholar also said that Buddha “deludes” China and people will self-mutilate because of this religion. This supports the thesis because China has a very high ego and is often seen as self-sufficient so when something foreign invades, they believe it is unnecessary and sometimes going so far as to call it “evil” and that is must be ridden of. Calling Buddhism evil and barbaric is certainly a negative response to the spread. Document 6 also shows a very negative response to Buddhism written by the Emperor Wu of the Tang dynasty. The emperor claims that Buddhism in “injuring mankind” and that the followers are too abundant. He complains that while the Buddhists are off praying in temples and living a secluded life, they should be fulfilling their roles in China such as farming and feeding the population. During this time, after legalism was thrown out and the civil service exam was reinstituted based off Confucian values so it is obvious the emperor felt that Buddhism threatened the social standards and hierarchy of Confucianism and needed to dispose of it. His point of view is that as the emperor, he must protect his Mandate of Heaven and keep order in his empire, and the way to do that is for people to pay taxes (which Buddhist

There are multiple reasons why and how Buddhism spread in China. I feel that factors like, religion, politics, and social, played a major part in spreading Buddhism throughout China. The factors mentioned are usually a contributor in global changes and has definitely played its part in China’s adapting a new belief. Of course there were other reasons, like economic, that caused the people of China to gravitate to the Buddhist ways. People reconsidering their faith, due to many of life downfalls or the weight of participants in something that’s new, gained recognition and spread due to popular demand. During the political chaos from 221 to 589 that came with the collapse of the Han Dynasty, Buddhism started to become a strong existence in

In Valerie Hansen’s, The Open Empire, she described the history of China as an Open Empire due to several reasons. The term Open Empire emphasized ways in which Chinese Culture and Society has been influenced by foreign cultures. Some evidences of these influence was Buddhism, Adoption of Chinese Ways, and China’s Golden Age. Most of these greatly impacted the lifestyle for many Chinese. These influences did not only create an empire with foreign influences, but also led to the development of new language and culture. Without further ado, we shall begin exploring Buddhism.

Some Chinese disapprove Buddhism as an offshore religion. Other critics opposed Buddhists’ departure from the world. They thought that people should be participants of society and family. Still, others criticized the riches and capability that the monasteries had. Sometimes the criticism was a pathway to persecution. The worst attacks came during the dynasty of Emperor Wuzong (he was a Daoist). Emperor Wuzong had arranged the extermination of 4,600 Buddhist monasteries and 40,000 temples in 845. Like I said in the beginning, around 250,000 Buddhist nuns and monks were involuntarily forced to abandon their religious life. This is a way that Buddhism affected the Chinese culture. Buddhism never redeemed from this

The development of Buddhism across followed natural geographic divisions. Buddhist doctrine and culture spread mostly by the way of trade-routes. During its spread, Buddhism adapted and evolved within different cultures and their existing beliefs. It was one of the keys to the success of the religion. Certain aspects of Buddhism were harmonized with the pre-existing earlier practices, customs, mythologies and tradition. Spirits, deities and divinities from local mythologies and beliefs continue to coexist and were incorporated into the pantheon of the newly formed religion. For examples, in China Buddhism absorbed Taoist elements; in Japan, it

Between 220 and 570 C.E., China experienced a political instability and disunity, which opened the way to the spread of Buddhism. Before this new way of life could take hold, however, the Chinese people had to learn the teachings of Buddha, such as the first sermon preached by Buddha in the fifth century B.C.E., known as “The Four Noble Truths.” Although Buddhism eventually became popular throughout China, there was opposition to the new beliefs and Chinese people struggled with replacing their old beliefs, such as Confucianism and Taoism, with this new, strange belief system. In response, Chinese scholars, including Zhi Dun and Zong Mi, published writings acknowledging these struggles, and attempting to put the Chinese people at ease. By explaining that Buddhism was similar to Confucianism, in that it promoted good winning over evil, and that Buddhism would lead to a state of enlightenment known as Nirvana, Chinese scholars played an important role in the spread of Buddhism. However, after 570 C.E., the imperial structure was restored, creating a renewed sense of patriotism and loyalty to the old Chinese customs and beliefs. This renewal led to a backlash against Buddhism. During this time, instead of praising Buddhism, scholars and emperors alike were declaring Buddhism evil and calling for its extermination. The shift in the Chinese peoples’ embracing of Buddhism and their condemnation of it is best seen by comparing the writings dated before 570 C.E. to those

Dropping out of society seemed to clash with filial piety, however, as time passed nomadic leaders started to appeal to Buddhism. For instance, “ As Buddhism traveled, it merged with many non-Buddhist ideas that made the new faith more appealing to China. Regional heroes, mythical characters, and local deities became bodhisattvas, allowing people to continue worshipping the same spirits while adding another dimension to their power.” (Johnson 56) The number of monks started to grow in China and stimulated contact with India and many wanted to acquire Buddhist scriptures. Due to the impact of syncretism, Buddhism was able to have a strong impact in China resulting in many converts and new leaders to spread Buddhism to other countries. However, another religion that was also in its first phases known, as Christianity was a successful universal religion as a result of syncretism.

Well, Buddhism became such “a popular force in the lives of the Chinese, [that everyone] from the common people to the emperor himself [, were Buddhist].” Ironically, Taoism, the very religion that helped the people of China understand Buddhism, soon was in competition with Buddhism via popularity and political influence. “Over the course of the next three centuries, major schools of Chinese Buddhism [were] formed.” Two of these schools are even here today, Pure Land Buddhism and Zen Buddhism. One time where Buddhism was a huge help to the Chinese people, was after the fall of the Han Dynasty. During this period of confusion and barbarism, Buddhism brought peace to all. It was during this period when the Chinese built these two schools. Buddhism took over China so much that there were shrines, large temples, courtyards, parades and carnivals all dedicated to Buddhism. During 618 - 907 AD, the Tang Dynasty established Buddhism to be the universal religion of China. Buddhism not only affected China spiritually, but also economically. In the early stages of Buddhism, “Buddhist monks and temples [were under] tax exempt” and rulers were unwilling to “assert authority over the sacred realm.” Buddhist institutions were also able to find a way to make a lot of money that the government could not take. It soon became a typical thing for people to donate items and money to the temples. This situation is a win win because by giving away

Numerous who were awed with the Hellenistic society needed to mix it with Buddhism. Because of the blending of nomadic, Hellenistic, Persian, and Mesopotamian conventions there was another religious union, Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhism, once spread, affected numerous. Buddhism connected from India to China and central Asia taking after the Silk Road. Buddhist monks went with merchants to the Chinese's capital Han Empire and made an interpretation of Buddhist writings into Chinese, however Buddhist thoughts were moderate to pick up

This week’s reading discussed the spread of Buddhism to Korea and Japan and its integration into those regions. Prior to Buddhism, the traditional teachings of the indigenous people the veneration of “Kami”. Kami closely relates to spirits. This old tradition is often referred to as “Shinto". Kami are spirits that abide in and are worshipped at the shrines. When Buddhism arrived to japan in the 6th century it was not let in with open arms. At first there was conflict between the new supporters of Buddhism and the indigenous kami practitioners. However, over time these two teachings were seen as complimentary to one another, having the Buddhist deities and kami worshipped together. With Buddhism now integrated within japan, many major schools

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).