The+Han+-+Silk+Trade

=Han Silk Trade and Buddhism in Modern China=

Premise:
Without certain developments of ancient China, specific parts of modern Chinese society would not exist

A development of ancient China:
During the time of Han dynasty, only the Chinese knew how to make silk. It was much desired as a luxury fabric both by the Chinese and by people outside of China. Chinese silk was important in opening trading routes to the west. Overland trade routes were called Silk Roads becuase traders carried silk and other goods on caravan trails.

An example of silk

A hypothesis on the connections to modern Chinese society:
The Buddhism entered China along Silk Roads and introduced the religion to the Chinese people. It made most of the Chinese believe in Buddhism. Therefore, at that time, Chinese culture was started the changing which contain an intimate connection with Buddhism.

The routes of Silk Road:

Examining evidence to support/refute this hypothesis:
Buddhism has a huge role in the Chinese culture. Since Buddhism is a more a way of life then a religion it is an obvious part of their culture. Buddhism shows itself in the way people eat, the construction of their building, the way in which people interact with each other, and they way the people of China generally live. Though Buddhism has an overall effect on all of China it only has a huge effect on the western side of China were the number of Buddhist followers is the densest. Buddhism taps into people's world-views and they grow up believing certain things that mold they way they live. It affects them from such a young age that they have no problem bringing into the Culture of their adult hood. Following the fundamentals of Buddhism such as the eight fold path requires people to mold their lives accordingly. Living continuously in a state of Buddhism requires the culture to be adapted to these views, and for people in the culture to live accordingly. Buddhism's effect on the culture of China is starting to decrease as technology grows but will never truly disappear. Still in the rural areas you can see an obvious affect of this powerful religion.

resources from: []

During Han Dynasty, Buddhist missionaries entered China along the Silk Roads and introduced the religion to Chinese people. At first, the foreign ideas attracted few followers. However, in turbulent years after the fall of the Han Dynasty, Buddhism's promise of an escape from suffering became attractive to many Chinese people. Chinese modified Buddhism to manke it fit better with their own traditions.

resoures from: Carnine, D., Cfortes, C., Curtis, K., & Robinson, A. (2009). World history. Evanston, Ill.: McDougal Littell.

Conclusion:
Buddhism has big influence to Chinese culture, "they way the people of China generally live." Therefore, during the Han Dynasty, the Silk Road gave a big cultural changing to Chinese by introducing the Buddhism in to China. Buddhism was totally used in ancient China's culture and we can see some part of Chinese is still taking this culture. Moreover, the Silk Road brings an obvious influence to Chinese which is still continuering affect the modern China. If the Silk Road did not bring the Buddhism to China, modern Chinese culture will be different.

Written by:
Lam Ming Tat, Eric Lee, Sam Sze

Works Cited:
"How Does Buddhism Affect the Chinese Culture." //The Q&A Wiki//. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. [].

Carnine, D., Cfortes, C., Curtis, K., & Robinson, A. (2009). World history. Evanston, Ill.: McDougal Littell.