Tang Dynasty Dbq Essay

697 Words2 Pages

The propagation and use of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty changed from an open way to express spiritual power to a more business and trade-oriented mindset because of the change in emperors. Around 830 CE, Buddhism was popular in the Tang, China region due to the Silk Road trade routes. At the time, the Silk Road was still very popular among people, being a great way to trade and export products. The Silk Road was a cultural center for Asia as traders from different areas brought diversity and open-mindedness. It is hard to communicate with someone without speaking their language and preferable to deal when you have knowledge or similar views to your customer. That sparked new views spreading abnormally fast, then a word of a new faith traveling …show more content…

Xuanzang responded, however, that “Though the Buddha was born in the West, his Dharma has spread to the East. In the course of translation, mistakes may have crept into the texts, and idioms may have been misapplied. When words are wrong, the meaning is lost, and when a phrase is mistaken, the doctrine becomes distorted.” Xuanzang, Doc B, 646 CE. Here we can see Xuanzang looking to find the truth of Buddhism, looking to find out more about Buddhism and how people react to this. Analyzing this, we can see the changes in Buddhism's uses. Most Tang emperors seemed to accept Buddhism because it gave the citizens a way to have community and an outlet for pain/suffering. Emperor Wuzong was very much different from other Emperors in the Tang. Instead of giving materials or donations to monasteries he actively tried to suppress Buddhism in the Tang, himself being an obsessively concerned Daoist. At this time, China was also having financial problems. Wuzong looked to solve this by seizing Buddhist land with his military power. Lewis says “Emperor Wuzong’s attempted suppression and mass confiscation of Buddhist property in 845, which lasted only a year, no emperor ever questioned the place of Buddhism within the Tang state”. 215. The syllable of the syllable. Wuzong’s ideals clashed with the majority Buddhist religion spread at the time. He caused fatal damage trying to stop Buddhism, destroying over 4,000 monasteries and 40,000 small temples and shrines. We see the different views of powerful people reflected in their actions, some destroying precious monuments and others pursuing the origins of

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