Brief View of Buddhism on Different Perspectives Essay Example for Free

Brief View of Buddhism on Different Perspectives Essay Buddhism in China was not first welcomed. People had different opinions on Buddhism. To analyze the responses to the spread of Buddhism in china by who expresses to the audience, why some people believe Buddhism is better for the country, and why some believe Buddhism is bad for China. Depending on what time period they lived in, changed the opinion of those who expressed their opinion to the audience. (Document 2) Zhi Dun is a Chinese Scholar, author, and a high official. During circa 350 C.E Northern China was invaded by Central Asian Steppe Nomads. There is war between the Asian Steppe Nomads and Zhi Dun believes that if you believe in Buddhism and have the right intentions, you can reach nirvana. (Document 3) This document is written by an Anonymous Chinese Scholar that expresses his opinion to the people of China. This is during circa 500 C.E., which was during the time of instability and disunity. He wrote this document anonymously because he was fearful of what other people think. They might not agree with his idea. (Document 6) The emperor response is toward the people of china. This is during 845 C.E, which is after the imperial structure is restored and he is saying that they don’t need Buddhism. Although some people agree with Confucianism, people think Buddhism helped China. (Document 1) In this document, it talks about the four Noble Truths. It shows how everyone suffers and the only way to get rid of suffering is to get rid of your desires. This was the first sermon preached by the Buddha in India during the fifth century. This document was written to persuade those to become Buddhists and follow the teachings. (Document 2), this document explains how if you have the right intentions, then you will reach Nirvana. This helps relief the people of china. (Document 5), Zong Mi, a Buddhist scholar said that Buddhism helped China. He said that the Buddha taught many teachings and in result, it encouraged the perfection of good deeds. Although Buddhism might seem good for China, other people believe that it ruined the country. Usually the higher classes thought Confucianism was better. This is because the lower classes are to respect the higher class. Han Yu is a Confucian Scholar and official of the Tang imperial court. This is during the 819 C.E. he says Buddhism didn’t even originate from China. He also says that Buddhism has nothing to do with the country and the culture. (Document 6), this is during 815 C.E. This is the time period after the instability and disunity of china. China is restored and they have an imperial rule, Tang Emperor Wa. His attitude towards Buddhism is furious. Since China is restored, he believes in Confucianism and Legalism, so there is no need for Buddhism. He even explains that Buddhism is selfish. All they do is eat and meditate, not helping the country by working. To analyze the responses to the spread of Buddhism by observing those who expressed their opinion to the people of China. It differed depending on what time period they lived in. it depended if they lived in the time of instability and disunity or when china was restored. Others believe that Buddhism helped China. They believe that it helped China during the time of instability and disunity. During this period of time, there was an invasion against the Asian steppe nomads in circa 350 C.E. Buddhism helped comfort those that were going to war by saying that they can reach nirvana. Even though Buddhism helped China, higher officials and Confucius believe that it ruined the country. This is because during 845 C.E. they had an emperor. They didn’t need Buddhism anymore because they had an emperor and china is unified by one leader again. A missing voice that is needed in the document section is a person that does not express their opinion to the public, like a private voice such as a person putting something down in a diary. The second voice that is needed is the common people’s opinion in China. This will show which philosophy they are rooting for during a period of time. The third voice should be a historian’s view during their period of time, so it shows how he interprets it.