Buddhism Dbq Research Paper

After the Han dynasty collapsed in 220 CE, China faced a period of political disunity, during that time Buddhism gained popularity with the Chinese people. Both foreign and Chinese monks were actively involved in establishing monasteries and lecturing on the Buddhist teachings. Many Chinese people accepted Buddhism and advocated its principles such as the philosophy and promise of afterlife over the Confucian ideals, but the truth was that Chinese people turned to Buddhism for its promises of eternal enlightenment during times of struggle. However, lots of people rejected the concept of Buddhism because it was a foreign influence, as well as a belief that it lowered the status of upper-class people. Nonetheless, many people converted to Buddhism because it allowed them to break out of the rigid hierarchy that Confucianism imposed, which is why it was common among the lower classes. Document 2, written by Zhi Dun, illustrates the reasons for the initial compatibility of Buddhism with the time period. Zhi is scholar who clearly admires Buddhism, who sees its value in correct observances in face of uncontrolled passion. Zhi Dun wrote how in times of upheaval, Buddhism presents a comforting worldview for Chinese scholars and aristocrats.

However, in Document 5, Zong Mi, exemplifies attempts to allow both Buddhism and Confucianism to coincide peacefully. As Buddhism is under attack at the court, Zhi Dun tries to make the case (maybe to the Emperor) that Buddhism is not a threat to traditional Chinese social and political structures. He argues for the equality of beliefs and the social/political usefulness of all of the philosophies. Zong must emphasize that Buddhism poses no threat to the social order in order to counter Confucian arguments that Buddhism is