How Did Buddhism Spread Throught China? Essay

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

Originally Buddhism was accepted by the Chinese people and so were the majority of it’s policies, however over the centuries scholars noticed the absence of Buddhism in ancient texts therefore it was blamed for the social and political problems of China. During a time when there was no imperial authority Buddhism was popular, but after the Empire reemerged Buddhism was faced with opposition. Throughout Chinese history there has been little assimilation of other cultures. Confucian scholars opposed Buddhism greatly because it was seen a threat to Confucianism. Buddhist scholars and monks supported Buddhism and all its values. Emperor Wu Di of the Northern Zhou Dynasty believed the temples had become too rich and powerful and called for the abolishment of Buddhism in 574 and 577.

During the Tang and Song dynasties, Buddhism changed in a way for other beliefs and practices to be involved in. The importation of Buddhist ideas influenced Chinese culture by having schools of Buddhism, borrowing Chinese cultural traditions, and building temples. Monks and scholars coordinated several

Buddhism for centuries, has long been influencing the population all over the world, specifically in China . Buddhism first came to China as a result of merchant traders from India. From there it spread within the merchant community. It mainly expanded because it gave people a sense of hope and faith with the chaos they were experiencing from the collapse of the Han Dynasty. It also spread because it covered what Confucianism lacked; a more spiritual and emotional approach that appealed to many people of different classes. It is because of this that Buddhism spread and was able to influence and greatly affect China during the period of 300-900 CE. Buddhism influenced philosophy and moral teachings, kept the Chinese society peaceful and orderly, as well as affecting the overall economy. Buddhism had strong religious teachings that appealed to the lower class with the idea of afterlife and nirvana as well as an emphasis on following your own path that transformed Chinese beliefs causing a large portion of the population to convert (doc’s 1,4). Buddhism kept the Chinese society orderly by reminding all of Buddha’s life and teachings with statues and the influence it had on monks to spread charity and missionary work (doc’s 2,3,6). Buddhism also had an effect on the economy of China. As it spread from other regions, it caused more farmers and silk producers to convert and spread the religion as monks and nuns. (doc 7,5).

As Buddhism spread from India to China, It caused a variety of diverse beliefs. Several views on Buddhism were strongly influential to the Chinese society. For example the Emperor's opinion that Buddhism would leave ruin, havoc and destroy the country in Document 6 is a strong authoritative source in the Chinese society. This leaves the people of China to decide between listening to their Emperor, or violate the statement he made making the influence of Buddhism corrupt. A positive viewpoint from a philosopher in Document 5 compares Buddhism to other existing beliefs trying to get the religion accepted into society. While there are positive and negative views on Buddhism during the first century C.E. Some sources remained indifferent and have no opinion on the issue and want to meld all religions into a remarkable society. While some praised Buddhism and support all that it stands for, others used the spread of this religion as a scapegoat, incriminated for political and economic problems. Therefore the spread of Buddhism and how it was preserved was based on point of view and powerful opinions in China.

A Chinese monk named Xuan Zang spent his years translating the Buddhist documents. He promoted his faith in Buddhism. People were attracted to this religion because of its morals and teachings causing it to spread throughout the region. Leaders made Buddhism a big part of everyone’s life. They encouraged Buddhism by sending money to monasteries, collecting Buddhist texts, and building Buddhist statues across the region. Through traders and merchants traveling along the silk road many of them heard about Buddhism and spread it throughout the region. In China Buddhist monasteries loaned farmers money and people put their money in the monasteries for safe keeping. Buddhist temples and monasteries provided medical care, charity, ran schools and

“He built thousands of stupas and thousands of monasteries throughout the land” (Pink #3 pg. 110). This allowed for the spread of Buddhism because it provided an official location for those inclined to convert to congregate and practice with like-minded people. It additionally introduced Buddhism to areas where it was not already present. The government provided many new locations for people of the kingdom because it allowed for the expansion of the

First, Comparing Buddhism in ancient China and Japan. Buddhism in ancient Japan was similar to Buddhism in China because, it was the Chinese who introduced Buddhism to Japan in the first place and when the Chinese introduced this idea it “…became immensely popular, at least with the upper classes.” Another way that Buddhism in Japan was the same in China is because in Japan, when Buddhism was introduced it taught people to achieve Buddhahood through the eightfold path, and in China when it was introduced between 1 and 100 AD it taught the teachings of Buddha which is basically the same fundamentals with different names. Some examples of the teachings are the search for the truth of things such as what is your motivation to do things and

​According to the British Museum, “growth can be attributed to two main factors: the support of the general population and royal patronage.” Introduced by merchants during the 6th century AD Buddhism had spread throughout Cambodia and to China during 50 AD. Another strong hold that allowed the religion of Buddhism to blossom was the conversion of Ashoka to Buddhism. By broadcasting his beliefs on inscribed stones and pillars Ashoka gave Buddhism the royal support it needed to thrive, he also sent Buddhist missionaries all over Asia making it as far as Syria. Eventually Buddhist philosophical schools began to rise and teach the religion, such as two prestigious schools in China, Hua-Yen and T’ien-t’ai.

As a result, people accepted this new belief openly as it made sense alongside their original beliefs. Buddhism ultimately stuck around. It became the primary religion after more missionaries traveled the silk roads and further exposed China to these new teachings. At the end of the sixth century, Buddhism has spread entirely though China and has reached into Korea and Japan. While China may have originally had a sound belief system, Buddhism complimented both nicely in a way that

Although Buddhism was introduced to the Chinese people early in the Han Dynasty in the first century B.C., a couple of historical events in Tang Dynasty truly mark the prosperousness of Buddhism in China. During the early Tang dynasty, along with many other pilgrims, the monk Xuanzang traveled to India and returned to Chang’an (Place 1) with a large collection of Buddhist texts, relics, and statues. With the support of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Xuanzang set up a large translation bureau in Chang'an, attracting students from

Founded in the sixth century BCE, Buddhism soon began expanding northwards from the foothills of the Himalayas. In the third century BCE, Buddhism was dispersed by missionaries across Central Asia from within India, where it remained dominant for about a thousand years. When it was brought into China, new Buddhist monks emerged. Some of them went onto become valued as palace advisors. This transmission of Buddhism also occurred with the help of the Silk Road.

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

Buddhism first came to China from India around 500 AD. Buddha, the enlightened one, is the founder of Buddhism as a religion. Buddhism is China’s oldest foreign religion merging from Daoism and folk religion. At first, Buddhism did not attract many people, however during 200 AD, Buddhism gained a firm position in China and has continued to be one of China’s top religions. Buddhism, in summary, is a religion of enlightenment and self-meditation.

Buddhism, is one of the great religions of civilized mankind. Religion came from India in the 6th century BC, the German founder Sakyamuni Mo Ni (Shakyamuni), From the beginning, Duty Counsel Sakyamuni, founder of Buddhism, was organized by a church with strict rules. Thanks to the flexibility of the Dharma, Buddhism can adapt to a variety of social situations, types of people, many practices in different periods. Buddhism was introduced into China in about the second century AD, to the Qing Dynasty, a division populated by officials and could not live under the oppression of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang. This had swept the boat to the sea and settled in one small island, today 's Japan. Because of this migration, but unknowingly, Buddhism also came appointment at Japan. Along the flow of time, image, role, location and manner of worship has led to