2. HOW, WHEN, AND WHY BUDDHISM STARTED
Started in first century C.E
Buddhism spread along silk road
Reached China in late Han Dynasty
Traveled along the silk road
Buddhist Monks came to the capital of China (Chang’an) because of The Chinese
Officials and the Monks
showed the emperor a picture of Buddha
Practiced Buddhism in China at second century C.E
Many people including monks translate Buddhist text into Chinese and Buddhism
spreads
Buddhism popular in China today
The emperor had a dream about Buddha, sent his officials to find information
Officials found two monks that had the information and bring them back to the
palace
The emperor wanted the monks to stay and translate the scriptures
Build temple for the monks to stay in. called White Horse Temple
4. MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
INDIAN AND CHINESE BUDDHISM.
Chinese believe everyone has a soul, Indians don’t believe in
souls
Chinese worship the dead, Indians are disgusted by the dead
Indian were okay with moderate meditation and fasting to get a
reward at the end of life, Chinese though this was silly
If Indian Buddhist text did not have enough details, Chinese made
them up and added them in
Chinese introduced spells and charms to Buddhism
5. CONDITIONS IN CHINESE SOCIETY
THAT MADE BUDDHISM ATTRACTIVE
TO THE PEOPLE
Buddhism was similar to Taoism so the Taoist were interested to
learn more (borrowed Taoist words)
When Han dynasty fell the country was in chaos and
Confucianism (main religion) lost power
South China the wealthy class started to adopted Buddhism
The rulers in the North became Buddhist because the monks
were there advisors
Some people in China were suffering and Buddhism promised an
escape
After Han dynasty fell people turned to Buddhism for peace and
comfort
6. THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP
PROMOTED OR DISCOURAGED THE
PRACTICE OF BUDDHISM.
(after Han dynasty) The rulers in the North became Buddhist
because the monks were there advisors
Emperor Taiwu of Wei Dynasty did not support Buddhism
Temples, text, and art were to be destroyed
Monks executed
Next emperor (Wencheng) rebuilt Buddhism
When North and South China reunited only thing had in common
was Buddhism
Sui emperor encourage Buddhism to show they were one country