Cultural Change in Tang and Song China

Questions and Answers

What motivated Xuanzang to travel to India?

To study Confucian texts directly from their sources.

To uncover treasures hidden in India.

To establish trade relations with Indian rulers.

To learn about Buddhism from the purest sources. (correct)

What were the challenges Xuanzang faced shortly after leaving China?

He was infected by a deadly disease.

His guide abandoned him in the Gobi desert. (correct)

He was captured by a band of thieves.

He lost his way and entered a war zone.

How did the Buddhist ruler of Turpan assist Xuanzang?

By introducing him to other monks along the journey.

By offering him a safe passage to India.

By providing him with a large army for protection.

By supplying him with travel materials and letters of introduction. (correct)

What indicated the importance of Xuanzang’s journey in terms of material support?

He received gold, silver, and silk clothes. Signup and view all the answers

What was Xuanzang's educational background before his journey?

He was educated in Confucian texts. Signup and view all the answers

What setting did Xuanzang leave behind when he started his journey?

A secluded monastery in the mountains. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of Chinese writings on Buddhism did Xuanzang find problematic?

They contained confusing or contradictory teachings. Signup and view all the answers

What year did Xuanzang begin his journey to India?

629 CE Signup and view all the answers

What challenges did Xuanzang face while crossing the Tian Shan mountains?

He lost one-third of his party to exposure and starvation. Signup and view all the answers

How long did Xuanzang spend in India studying Buddhism?

More than twelve years Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred upon Xuanzang's return to China in 645?

He was welcomed as a hero at the imperial court. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Xuanzang's main contributions after returning to China?

He translated Buddhist treatises into Chinese. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the Sui and Tang dynasties have on Chinese society?

They restored centralized imperial rule and economic growth. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did Buddhism influence China during the postclassical era?

It attracted a large following and affected Confucian thought. Signup and view all the answers

Which territories were influenced by Chinese culture during the postclassical era?

Korea, Vietnam, and Japan Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the centuries following the Han dynasty?

Several kingdoms attempted to exert authority without long-term success. Signup and view all the answers

What geographical features did Xuanzang cross during his journey?

Three of the world's highest mountain ranges Signup and view all the answers

What did Xuanzang transport back to China after his travels?

Relics, images, and 657 books Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Xuanzang's Journey

Xuanzang, a young Buddhist monk, defied an imperial order by traveling to India in 629 CE to study Buddhism from authentic sources.
He was initially educated in Confucian texts but became devoted to Buddhism and sought clarity on contradictory teachings found in Chinese writings.
Despite facing challenges, like being abandoned in the Gobi desert and suffering severe hardship, he persisted on his journey.
After receiving assistance and support from the Buddhist ruler of Turpan, he acquired travel supplies and letters of introduction to facilitate his journey.
Throughout his travels, Xuanzang crossed three major mountain ranges and battled natural and human threats, including starvation and bandit attacks.
He reached India in 630 CE and studied at Nalanda, a prestigious center for Buddhist education, for over twelve years.
Xuanzang collected relics and 657 Buddhist texts, transporting them back to China in 527 crates.

Impact on Buddhism in China

Upon his return in 645 CE, spanning over 16,000 kilometers (around 10,000 miles), Xuanzang gained national prominence and received a hero's welcome despite his journey being a violation of imperial decree.
He devoted his later years to translating Buddhist texts into Chinese and interpreting their doctrines, significantly influencing the spread of Buddhism in China.
Xuanzang's efforts were crucial in popularizing Buddhism during a time when China was recovering from over 350 years of disruption after the fall of the Han dynasty.

Political and Economic Context

The revival of centralized imperial rule under the Sui and Tang dynasties led to stability and rapid economic growth in China.
Agricultural productivity surged, and technological innovations enhanced manufacturing output.
China emerged as a central political and economic power in the postclassical world, aligning with the Abbasid and Byzantine empires.
Increased trade connectivity allowed Chinese merchants to engage in extensive networks, facilitating the spread of Buddhism beyond India and across East Asia.

Influence on East Asia

Buddhism’s popularity in China influenced Confucian scholars, highlighting the syncretism of thought in the region.
China's resurgence prompted its cultural and political influence to extend into Korea, Vietnam, and Japan.
Although Korea, Vietnam, and Japan maintained their distinct cultures, they actively drew inspiration from Chinese civilization and became part of a broader East Asian society centered around China.

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Description

This quiz explores significant cultural changes during the Tang and Song dynasties in China, including the establishment of Buddhism and the rise of Neo-Confucianism. It also covers the development of complex societies in Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, along with key figures like Xuanzang. Test your knowledge on this transformative period in East Asian history.