1 / 6

China and Buddhism

China and Buddhism. AP World History Notes Chapter 9 China from 500 to 1300. Initial Rejection of Buddhism. China did not take to Buddhism right away Commitment to a secluded life for Buddhist monks and nuns contradicted Chinese belief in strong family values

ledell
Download Presentation

China and Buddhism

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. China and Buddhism AP World History Notes Chapter 9 China from 500 to 1300

  2. Initial Rejection of Buddhism • China did not take to Buddhism right away • Commitment to a secluded life for Buddhist monks and nuns contradicted Chinese belief in strong family values • Focus on individual salvation and enlightenment = selfish and against Confucianism • China was focused on “this world” with Confucianism and were wary of the concept of infinite time with Buddhism

  3. Buddhism Takes Hold in China • When Han dynasty collapsed, people began to question Confucianism • Many turned to Buddhism instead and liked its emphasis on compassion, morality, and meditation • Rulers and elite families donated money to build Buddhist temples and monasteries

  4. Buddhist Monasteries • Provided: • Accommodation for travelers • Refuge for people fleeing from China’s upheavals • Charity for the poor • Seeds for struggling farmers • Treatment and care for the sick • Education and books for children

  5. Buddhist Backlash • As Buddhism grew, some criticisms and resistance arose: • Resentment of its enormous wealth • Threat to imperial authority of China • Still seen as “foreign” • Withdrawal of monks from society = against family-based values of Confucianism

  6. Chinese Imperial Decrees • Ordered monks and nuns to pay taxes • Thousands of Buddhist monasteries and temples were destroyed or turned to public use • State confiscated Buddhist land and property • Buddhists forbidden to use gold, silver, copper, iron, or gems to make their images

More Related