Responses to the Spread of Buddhism Dbq

The responses to the spread of Buddhism were largely determined by the differing political situations. After the Han dynasty broke up in 220 CE many people embraced Buddhism and all it had to offer in order to find some semblance of comfort during the difficult times. As the imperial structure was restored in 570 CE many political leaders and scholars saw Buddhism a threat to Chinese culture and began to try to destroy its influence in China, however many other scholars attempted to show people that there did not need to be conflict and that practitioners of different religions in China could live in peace.

During the time of political fragmentation following the collapse of the Han dynasty in 220 CE many people converted to Buddhism, probably because it brought them a degree of comfort. During this time period after the collapse of the Han dynasty there were many different kingdoms all fighting each other, this constant warfare had a serious effect on the citizens. Thus it is understandable that they would turn to a new religion brought in by the trade routes. This religion is different in that its message was clear, hard, and honest. It stated that sorrow was everywhere and that the only true way to resist sorrow is to completely stop craving for sensual pleasure (Doc 1). The person that first delivered this message was the Buddha; who was a former prince that gave up all of his possessions in the search for truth and enlightenment through meditation and thought. Zhi Dun a chinese

scholar during this time period of disharmony spoke that the only thing one has to do in order to be free from sorrow and want is to follow the Buddha’s words, and eventually one would become enlightened and enter a state of Nirvana (Doc 2). Zhi Dun lived during a time where China was being invaded by nomads and he wished to share the luxury that Buddhism brought him with anybody that would listen. An anonymous scholar once said that the luxuries of the world were easily substituted by the wonders of the way of Buddha, and that in exchange for material possession a person would gain goodness and wisdom (doc 3). It is clear to see that in such a time of trouble many people would embrace the teachings of Buddha in order to be relieved of all of their sufferings.

After 570 CE imperial structure once again had a hold on China, thus as time went on scholars and leaders started to see Buddhism as a threat. After the brief Sui dynasty (581-618 CE) that unified China the powerful Tang dynasty took over (618-906 CE). It was during this 288 years that Buddhism changed from an acceptable religion to a barbaric uncivilized thing. This abrupt change was because of many things, one Confucian scholar Han Yu stated that Buddhism was not around during the Han dynasty and had nothing of the Chinese culture in its teachings. He stated that it had a different dress, it didn’t acknowledge the father son principle (a main feature in Confucianism) and it said nothing of Chinese kings, therefore that the religion needed to end before it poisons the minds of the future generations (Doc 4) . Han Yu was an official at the Tang imperial court in 819 CE, therefore he had the point of view of a very wealthy person with their ideas influenced by the government of China, as well as the teachings of Confucianism. Perhaps one of the most influential anti-buddhist of the time was emperor Tang Wuzong who started the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution that targeted any religion that was not Chinese in origin so that only Daoism and Confucianism was left unharmed. Tang Wuzong stated that buddhism takes strength and wealth from their followers and that because Buddhist men were not working the fields, others were starving and that because Buddhist women were not tending the silkworms, others will get cold (Doc 6). Not only was Emperor Wu motivated by the traditional culture of the Han dynasty, but he was also motivated by the economic impact that Buddhism had and thus