Cultural Change in Tang and Song China
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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?

    <p>He received gold, silver, and silk clothes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Xuanzang's educational background before his journey?

    <p>He was educated in Confucian texts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>A secluded monastery in the mountains.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>They contained confusing or contradictory teachings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What year did Xuanzang begin his journey to India?

    <p>629 CE</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

    How long did Xuanzang spend in India studying Buddhism?

    <p>More than twelve years</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

    <p>He translated Buddhist treatises into Chinese.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>They restored centralized imperial rule and economic growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>It attracted a large following and affected Confucian thought.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Korea, Vietnam, and Japan</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

    What geographical features did Xuanzang cross during his journey?

    <p>Three of the world's highest mountain ranges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Xuanzang transport back to China after his travels?

    <p>Relics, images, and 657 books</p> 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.

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