The Response to the Spread of Buddhism in China Differed...

The response to the spread of Buddhism in China differed according to one’s social position. Confucian scholars and the emperor attacked Buddhism as an outlandish, barbaric belief. â€Å"The Memorial of Buddhism† written by Han Yu, a Confucian scholar, opposes Buddhism when the emperor decides to bring â€Å"the finger bone of Buddha† into the Chinese palace. He shows the unjust actions of the emperor by referring back to Confucian teachings such as keeping â€Å"[ghosts and spirits] at a distance†. The scholar also describes how Buddhism is barbaric because it does not conform to any Chinese laws or Confucian teachings (Doc. 4). As a Confucian scholar, he favored the relationship between â€Å"sovereign and subject† and traditional dress. He did not want†¦show more content†¦As a Chinese scholar, he was probably looking for an end to suffering when China was invaded by nomads. His point of view is significant because he implies that Buddhi sm gives a chance for everyone to reach nirvana. In a state of political chaos, this greatly comforted and hugely appealed to the Chinese. An additional document by a Chinese Buddhist follower during the nomadic invasions would be helpful because it would show how Buddhism provided a distraction and relief in political disunity. Buddhist and Chinese scholars defended Buddhism by attempting to prove that Buddhism was as good as other Chinese philosophies. In document 3, an anonymous Chinese scholar utilizes a question and answer organization to drive off the common attacks on the Buddhist belief. The scholar thinks it would be unrealistic to compare Confucianism and Buddhism because the Confucian Classics do not contain everything. He also defended the monks’ celibacy by saying that they had given up their family for â€Å"accumulating goodness and wisdom†. As an anonymous scholar, he probably hid his name to escape punishment because most people were Confucians at the time. Likewise, Zong Mi, a Buddhist scholar, was also trying to defend Buddha as an equal to Laozi and Confucius. He said that all three sages lead to an orderly society, and like doc 3, all three philosophies could existShow MoreRelatedIndian Caste System5772 Words   |  24 PagesThe Indian caste system describes the system of social stratification and social restrictions in India in which social classes are defined by thousands of endogamous hereditary groups, often termed jÄ tis or castes. Within a jÄ ti, there exist exogamous groups known as gotras, the lineage or clan of an individual. In a handful of sub-castes such as Shakadvipi, endogamy within a gotra is permitted and alternative mechanisms of restricting endogamy are used (e.g. banning endogamy within a surname). TheRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesperspectives on the past) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-4399-0269-1 (cloth : alk. paper)—ISBN 978-1-4399-0270-7 (paper : alk. paper)—ISBN 978-1-4399-0271-4 (electronic) 1. History, Modern—20th century. 2. Twentieth century. 3. Social history—20th century. 4. World politics—20th century. I. Adas, Michael, 1943– II. American Historical Association. D421.E77 2010 909.82—dc22 2009052961 The paper used in this publication meets the requirements of the American National Standard