Buddhism’s influence was spreading all over China, which caused many Confucian scholars to despise its growth. Also, imperial officials had a negative approach towards Buddhism as it increasingly grew throughout the empire. On the other hand, some religious scholars saw Buddhism as a way of life that would help people reach towards their goal of achieving “nirvana.” As Buddhism expanded throughout China, many Confucian scholars started to speak out against the religion, as shown in documents 3 and 4. Confucianism and Buddhism were rivaling belief systems during this era. This rivalry between the belief systems caused some animosity from Confucian scholars against Buddhist followers. In document 3, the anonymous Chinese scholar is questioning
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In document 4, Han Yu, an official at the Tang imperial court, called Buddhist followers a collection of barbarian people. He called Buddhists this because they had different views and cultures. In this document, he calls the remains of Buddha “unlucky remains” and asks how it could be allowed in the palace. He later even asks for it to be burnt to take the evil out of it. These statements and requests show the deep hatred for the religion and its followers. As stated before, this document had most probably directed towards the emperor or any other major government official. In document 6, Emperor Wu of the Tang dynasty had written decree on Buddhism. In the edict, he had said that Buddhism “has poisoned the customs of our nation.” This one phrase had already described the deep contempt of the religion. He states that the religion would and has caused many people to stop working. Instead of working and providing food, people were begging for food. Emperor Wu does not only hate the religion, but he also despises what it would do to the society as a whole. At the end of the edict, Emperor Wu states that Buddhism should be disposed of in the Tang Empire. This edict had most probably been directed towards the people of the Tang Empire to both warn Buddhist followers and inform the people of the empire about the “poisoning” of …show more content…
Document 1 was not anyone explaining their views on Buddhism, but rather how to achieve Nirvana. Nirvana is a state in which there is no misery or suffering. Document 1 is showing the steps to reaching this transcendent state. This document shows the good that Buddhism could do for anyone in helping to reach Nirvana. Document 2 was written by a Chinese scholar and adviser to high officials, Zhi Dun, and he talked about how marvelous Buddhism. He explains that if someone follows Buddhism, his spirit will be enlightened and reach the state of Nirvana. By saying about the great things that would happen because of Buddhism, he is showing that Buddhism is great and should be welcomed. He might have written for some higher official to convince them to change their views on the religion. Document 5 was written by a Buddhist scholar, Zong Mi, but he was liked by the imperial household of the Tang dynasty. Zong Mi was talking about how all three major religions in China at the time, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism, had the same goal in putting society in order. He was describing how Buddhism and Confucianism are similar, so Buddhism could get some recognition and not be persecuted so much. His intended audience for this writing was most probably for the imperial household as he wanted to convince them that
In document 4, Han Yu, an official at the Tang imperial court, called Buddhist followers a collection of barbarian people. He called Buddhists this because they had different views and cultures. In this document, he calls the remains of Buddha “unlucky remains” and asks how it could be allowed in the palace. He later even asks for it to be burnt to take the evil out of it. These statements and requests show the deep hatred for the religion and its followers. As stated before, this document had most probably directed towards the emperor or any other major government official. In document 6, Emperor Wu of the Tang dynasty had written decree on Buddhism. In the edict, he had said that Buddhism “has poisoned the customs of our nation.” This one phrase had already described the deep contempt of the religion. He states that the religion would and has caused many people to stop working. Instead of working and providing food, people were begging for food. Emperor Wu does not only hate the religion, but he also despises what it would do to the society as a whole. At the end of the edict, Emperor Wu states that Buddhism should be disposed of in the Tang Empire. This edict had most probably been directed towards the people of the Tang Empire to both warn Buddhist followers and inform the people of the empire about the “poisoning” of …show more content…
Document 1 was not anyone explaining their views on Buddhism, but rather how to achieve Nirvana. Nirvana is a state in which there is no misery or suffering. Document 1 is showing the steps to reaching this transcendent state. This document shows the good that Buddhism could do for anyone in helping to reach Nirvana. Document 2 was written by a Chinese scholar and adviser to high officials, Zhi Dun, and he talked about how marvelous Buddhism. He explains that if someone follows Buddhism, his spirit will be enlightened and reach the state of Nirvana. By saying about the great things that would happen because of Buddhism, he is showing that Buddhism is great and should be welcomed. He might have written for some higher official to convince them to change their views on the religion. Document 5 was written by a Buddhist scholar, Zong Mi, but he was liked by the imperial household of the Tang dynasty. Zong Mi was talking about how all three major religions in China at the time, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism, had the same goal in putting society in order. He was describing how Buddhism and Confucianism are similar, so Buddhism could get some recognition and not be persecuted so much. His intended audience for this writing was most probably for the imperial household as he wanted to convince them that