Buddhism's Expansion and Influence in Ancient China

Buddhism saw its initial, but slow rise under the Han Dynasty, which lasted from 206 BCE to 220 CE; however, the religion spread rapidly towards the end of the Han amidst political chaos and hesitance in Confucian principles. During the postclassical era, Buddhism’s spread in China was caused by the prospect of Nirvana, while it also gave way to both negative and positive responses.

The idea of finding peace and a better life in Nirvana served as the fundamental cause of Buddhism’s spread in China, which is outlined in documents 1 and 2. Document 1 explicitly explains how one could enter Nirvana, defined as the absence of all desire (doc 1). Chinese scholar and author Zhi Dun writes how one should serve and obey the Buddha, but also promise to not forget the main goal in life, that obviously being to achieve Nirvana (doc 1). It is important to note the historical context of this document. In addition to his career as a scholar and author, Zhi Dun served as a confidant of Chinese aristocrats and high officials in a time when northern China was being invaded by central Asian steppe nomads. Therefore, this was a time on conflict and fear, so Buddhism offered the means to escape the violent world and enter into Nirvana after seeing and being enlightened in the Buddha. Furthermore, written 56 years later, document 2

The cause and responses of the spread of Buddhism in China is similar to and reflect that of Christianity’s spread throughout western Europe. The universality aspect of both of these religions makes it possible to draw the comparison between the two. Buddhism and Christianity shared a positive response concerning the recognition of its unifying effects to create a more orderly society. Regarding Buddhism, this is seen in document 5, and regarding Christianity, this is seen in the way it became the unifying force in the Roman