Spread Of Buddhism In China Essay
Sarah Hutchinson
AP World History
Mrs. Rice
14 Jan. 2012
Spread of Buddhism and Its Appeal in China Buddhism is a well-known major religion in today’s society. It originated in India, after Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), left his palace and finally achieved enlightenment. It reached China around the 1st century C.E and continued to spread throughout Asia. Buddhism was at its highest point after the fall of the Han dynasty in 220 C. E. The spread of Buddhism in China sparked several religious, ethical, and controversial issues; however it was accept by a large majority of the Chinese people and scholars. Buddhism was more prominent in times of upheaval, but it slowly declined in the 9th century C.E. Attitudes toward Buddhism were negative in the eyes of many Confucian scholars and those who were higher on the social latter (4, 6). Han Yu, a Confucian scholar and official in the Tang imperial court did not approve of …show more content…
(4, 5, 6). Han Yu strongly opposed Buddhism. He believed it was barbaric and amcient, and stated that people in the crowd of the coming of Buddha’s finger will mutilate themselves and cut off arms in Buddha’s honor. He believed it should be eradicated and that they should spare the youth the delusion of Buddha (4). The Emperor Wu used the excuse that if Buddhism continued to grow, an economic downfall would follow. He said the nuns and monks simply waited for the farmers to feed them and clothe them. He exaggerated numbers by saying the temples had grown to numbers larger than the palace. One scholar, Zong Mi, still accepted Buddhism at this time and believed that Buddhists and Confucianists were not that different and worked towards the same goals. Confucianism rose again because this was a time of peace and the original values of China became important again. Also, because of the peace, officials again became concerned with keeping their power and place in
AP World History
Mrs. Rice
14 Jan. 2012
Spread of Buddhism and Its Appeal in China Buddhism is a well-known major religion in today’s society. It originated in India, after Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), left his palace and finally achieved enlightenment. It reached China around the 1st century C.E and continued to spread throughout Asia. Buddhism was at its highest point after the fall of the Han dynasty in 220 C. E. The spread of Buddhism in China sparked several religious, ethical, and controversial issues; however it was accept by a large majority of the Chinese people and scholars. Buddhism was more prominent in times of upheaval, but it slowly declined in the 9th century C.E. Attitudes toward Buddhism were negative in the eyes of many Confucian scholars and those who were higher on the social latter (4, 6). Han Yu, a Confucian scholar and official in the Tang imperial court did not approve of …show more content…
(4, 5, 6). Han Yu strongly opposed Buddhism. He believed it was barbaric and amcient, and stated that people in the crowd of the coming of Buddha’s finger will mutilate themselves and cut off arms in Buddha’s honor. He believed it should be eradicated and that they should spare the youth the delusion of Buddha (4). The Emperor Wu used the excuse that if Buddhism continued to grow, an economic downfall would follow. He said the nuns and monks simply waited for the farmers to feed them and clothe them. He exaggerated numbers by saying the temples had grown to numbers larger than the palace. One scholar, Zong Mi, still accepted Buddhism at this time and believed that Buddhists and Confucianists were not that different and worked towards the same goals. Confucianism rose again because this was a time of peace and the original values of China became important again. Also, because of the peace, officials again became concerned with keeping their power and place in