Buddhism was not a religion that was favored in China during
this era as Confucians held all important government posts. Eventually China
started translating the Buddhism scripture. Because the Mahayana sutras were
translated from Sanskrit to Chinese, schools of Buddhism were able to grow. According
to Bresnan, “In the aftermath of the fall of Han, Buddhism in China grew
rapidly.” (Bresnan 333).
Zhiyi, a monk who lived and practiced on Mount Tiantai
founded Tiantai Buddhism. “Tiantai Buddhism became something of a syncretic
school in which all of the elements of Buddhist teaching could be in harmony.”
(Bresnan 335) Among Tiantai Buddhism, there was other Buddhism that emerged in
China such as Huayan Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and Chan Buddhism. Although
Buddhism was spreading in China, the Daoists and Confucians feared and hated
the intrusion of this powerful new institution.
(Bresnan 342). Chan Buddhism is what we now
know as Zen Buddhism spread to Japan.
The Silk Road made it possible for ideas
such as Buddhism to spread to various countries. According to the video The
Silk Road: Where East Met West, “The Silk Road ran all the way from China’s
ancient capital through central Asia.” (Silk, 1:00-1:07). The Silk Road is one
of the first trade routes in the world. Because of the Silk Road, the spread of
ideas and innovations were made possible.
An example of the spread of great inventions from one country to another is the invention of paper, which traveled along the routes of the Silk Road reaching Europe in the 12
th
century. However, the most valuable item on the trade route was Silk. Zhang
Qian “exchanged silk for these heavenly horses.” (Silk, 19:49-19:52). The horses
were needed to help China defend and extend its borders. Zhang Qian’s journey took him to Dun Huang
where it was “a vibrant focus for Buddhist culture.” (Silk, 28:24-28:27). Because
of the constant change, Buddhism was introduced to China.
Works Cited
“All About Zen Gardens.” The
Art of Zen Gardens in Zen Buddhism, 27 Nov. 2014,
zenbuddhismandgardens.wordpress.com/iconography/.
Bresnan,
Patrick. “Chapter 16.” Awakening: an Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. 5th ed., Pearson. 2013.
“Dunhuang.” Encyclopædia
Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 26 Sept. 2012,
www.britannica.com/place/Dunhuang.
Harvard. “From the Harvard
Art Museums' Collections Buddhist Sutra: Hwaŏm Kyŏng (Chinese, Huayan Jing;
Sanskrit, Avatamsaka Sutra), Chapter 77, with Frontispiece.” From the
Harvard Art Museums' Collections Buddhist Sutra: Hwaŏm Kyŏng (Chinese, Huayan
Jing; Sanskrit, Avatamsaka Sutra), Chapter 77, with Frontispiece,
www.harvardartmuseums.org/art/201534.
“Silk Road.” Encyclopædia
Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 16 Sept. 2019,
www.britannica.com/topic/Silk-Road-trade-route.
The Silk Road: Where East Met West. 2016.
