Chapter 7. East Asia and the Spread of Buddhism The History of World Societies of John McKay is a fine example of well-researched history textbook for students. In Chapter 7, Asia and the Spread of Buddhism author argues that the main reason for the spread of Buddhist religion in Asia, particularly in China, is a fact that famous Silk Road made this possible: Besides silk, paper and other goods, the Silk Road carried another commodity which was equally significant in world history. Along with trade and migration, the world’s oldest international highway was the vehicle which spread Buddhism through Central Asia. McKay gives us a numerous examples of how it is being done; yet in my opinion, the existence of a Silk Road is only a secondary factor that explains Buddhism gaining popularity among nations and tribes of Southeast and Northeast Asia. Author overlooks the fact that nature of Buddhism, as religion itself, was the major driving force behind it.
This philosophical religion was designed better than any other to be able to adapt to the lifestyles of people, who would were converted to it. This is very important factor and it shouldve been mentioned in McKays textbook, as this book is an analysis of historical events. For example, when monks wows suppose to last throughout their lives elsewhere, according to Buddhist tradition, in Thailand, theyre only taken on temporary basis. This is because of local beliefs among people at the time, that forbade taking wows for longer than year. Also in Thailand, monks would use prayers to defend people from evil spirits, while the concept of bodiless spirits is not know to Buddhism as religion. In Southern China we see Buddhist techniques being adapted to the ideas of Confucius, when they emphasize that the instant enlighten is possible. This goes along Confucian ideas that men are good in its nature, which is so much different from the Indian interpretation of Buddhist beliefs, that emphasize on the concept of many rebirths needed, in order to attain perfection.
The Essay on Is Buddhism A Religion
To begin, let us ask once again the huge question that is all burning in our minds: is Buddhism a religion? There are many criteria by which this can be compared to and/or answered by. For example, many religions have the following aspects within them: beginning, ritual, followers/believers, morality, purpose, and goals. This paper will compare Buddhism, other worldly accepted religions, and these ...
Given the fact that Buddhism was never been introduced to people as religion of conquerors that had to be accepted under threat of death, the explanation of Buddhism being able to spread only because of improved means of communication between different cultures appears to be insufficient to me. I think, understanding that the nature of Buddhism made it appealing to different tribes is very relevant if we want to reach any degree of objectivity, analyzing the issue. McKays textbook fails in that respect, although it is filled with factual information. With respect of readability, McKay didnt excel in his textbook either. It definitely doesnt appear as if it meant to be read by students. There is too much of factual information and terms, which all goes without additional explanation.
In order for students to acquire knowledge through reading book, it is crucial for them to understand what they read about. Here is a good example: As Buddhism advanced towards the Tarim basin, Kashgaria with Yarkand and Khotan in the west, Tumsuk, Aksu and Kizil in the north, Loulan, Karasahr and Dunhuang in the east, and Miran and Cherchen in the south became important centers of Buddhist art and thought. The sentence is overloaded with names of geographical locations, which make it very hard for students to learn about the topic. In addition, most of those names are historical and they cant be found on modern maps. The style, in which Chapter 7 is written, cant be overly criticized, yet it appears to be little too scientific sentences are short and there is little emotion to be found in how author describes issues, related to the spread of Buddhism. The topic itself is very exciting, especially given the fact that Buddhism became very popular in Western societies again in our times.
The Essay on Buddhism Speech Buddhists One Buddhist
Today I am giving an informative speech on Buddhism. Now, 'informative' is the key word here. I just want to reassure everyone that I am simply going to explain some of the philosophy of Buddhism. I am not, however, trying to sway your beliefs or views on life in ANY way. Instead, I'm going to share with you some of the basic things that I know, and however you choose to use the information, if at ...
Students would be much better encouraged to learn about historical aspects of Buddhism if they felt that by learning it, theyd be able to understand the nature of this philosophy better. In my opinion, Chapter 7 of McKays History of World Societies couldve been much better balanced, in terms of how author views the impact of Buddism on society in general: It is impossible to talk about Buddhism without mentioning its profound impact on the development of Central Asian art says McKay and expands further to show how Asian art forms are being influenced by Buddhist philosophy. One would expect author to mention the influence of Buddhism on literature, science and politics as well, yet he doesnt do it, limiting Buddhist influence only to the field of art. This, of course, reduces the value of his textbook considerably. For the modern day students it is essential to grasp all aspects of the issue that is being analyzed, even at expense of getting less factual information. Since there are so many things for the students to learn about, they dont necessarily have to understand their essences as much as they need to be able to orient among them. The author has to be given a credit for mentioning another aspect of Buddhism racial: Aside from their artistic values, those cave temples provide us with an immense amount of historical information. The portraits of Kizil donors with light complexions, blue eyes, and blond or reddish hair teach us they are more Indo-European than Mongol in appearance.
Yet, this is only one sentence, while modern historians attribute a great importance to racial and cultural factors, while studying the history of Buddhism. It is well known, that Buddhism originated in India, after local population was being subjugated to Aryan invaders from the north. When we study differences between different schools of Buddhist thought, it appears to us that the further from India Buddhist ideas were adopted, the more Buddhism became dogmatized religion, rather than religious philosophy. Within Indian society, only the highest cast Brahmans, was allowed to interpret teachings of Buddha, as it was believed that they were least likely to corrupt them, possessing certain racial characteristics. This also corresponds to authors view on the role of Asiatic nomadic tribes in bringing about the downfall of Buddhism. The decline of Buddhism along the Silk Road was due to the collapse of the Tang Dynasty in the East, says MacKay, without mentioning that the collapse of Tang Dynasty was, in its turn, caused by the repeated Mongolian invasions.
The Essay on The Impact of Buddhism on Indian Society
It has been said that Buddhism came as a reaction to the corruption of the Vedic ideals that were governing the Indian society. The Vedic ideals which were governing society till then had become conventional and lost their inner force. As we have seen in the earlier chapter, the caste system had a high and noble goal; but now it tended to become hereditary, rigid and inelastic. At the same time ...
There is a trend among modern historians to consider Mongols as those who had even contributed to the culture of nations that they conquered. But this approach isnt scientific but politically correct one and no author can claim to have objective views on the subject, while being heavily engaged in political correctness. This is the gravest sin of many modern historians and we need to analyze their views first, before adopting them as our own. Author tries to explain the advance and decline of Buddhism in purely historical terms, yet history itself is motivated by the play of cultural, racial, geographical and religious factors. In my view, MacKay works greatest omission is failure to analyze the development of Buddhism from the prospect of ethno-genesis. Nevertheless, author cannot be accused of not being generally objective. In a way, he withdraws from making any subjective conclusions and allows students to work out their own opinion on the matter.
But in order for students to be able to come to their own conclusions, they need to be guided through the reading material, otherwise theyll just come up with statements, being unable to prove them on factual level. Thats why I think that Chapter 7 of MacKays book is better suited to be used by university students or even professional historians, rather then college students. Nevertheless, there is much to be learned about spread of Buddhism from Chapter 7 of MacKays History of World Societies. It does show us the development of this religion in progress by painstakingly mentioning every historical account of its spread throughout the Asia. I personally would grade MacKays work as adequate. Obviously enough, author himself understands that his textbook can still be improved.
Were likely to expect further editions of his book being published.
Bibliography:
Mckay, John P. History of World Societies. (6 edition).
Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. ..
