dbq section 1

DBQ

At the beginning of the 1st century C.E ., when Buddhism began to spread from India to China, it encountered mixed results. Many Chinese had accepted the practice of Buddhism and stood by its policies when others were penetrating Buddhism's absence from past beliefs and used it as a pushover for social and political problems. Still others stayed impartial, wanting to mesh the differences of belief systems in China to create a one of a kind Chinese culture. Documents 2 and 3 support the spread of buddhism in China, while documents 4 and 6 examined and dampened the spread of buddhism in china in the 1st century C.E., Documents 1 and 5 share both sides of the story, discouragements and encouragements of the spread of Buddhism in China, but equally share an understanding. It provides a third prospective. Documents 4 and 6 dismay the Spread of buddhism in china in the 1st century C.E. Document 6 suggest that the causes of multiple problems in the Chinese society was caused by buddhism. Since Tang Emperor Wu was the author he had a lot of influence on his society, even thought some people rebelled in prohibited acts. Document 4 looks at Buddhism as “a cult of barbarian people”, as Han Yu says. His position on the Tang imperial court spreads his beliefs in a non-controversial way through out China, though his and many others acts may vary in opinions.

Documents 2 and 3 support the spread of Buddhism in China in the 1st Century C.E. Document 2 includes how joining the buddhist religion brings peace and joy to their society. Although, Zhi Dun (author), is of the higher class of China and his documentation does not state that of the lower classes opinions. Thus, when invasion in northern China came from the nomads, Zhi Dun could have suddenly looked to Buddhism as the target of the foreign invasion, but did not. Document 3 encounters the views of anti-Buddhists with facts. Although, having the author be anonymous in this document is too difficult to distinguish, his role is in the slight upper class, like that of document 2.

Documents 1 and 5 share both sides of the story, discouragements and encouragements of the spread of Buddhism in china, but equally share an understanding. Document 5 creates a sort of compromise between the belief system conflicts in China. The authors desire wasn't to defend Buddhism, although he was a Buddhist scholar, which made trying to understand both sides hard. Document 1 lays down the morals, and principles to sustain a peaceful and civilized life, a Buddhist tradition. This document was worded as that of the sacred text, meaning most other Buddhists shared the same beliefs.

In China the spread of Buddhism began during the 1st century, there were many different beliefs and perspective that included many different responses.