Learn This:
The movement of ideas from one location to another is called cultural diffusion. In the post-classical age, this concept was best demonstrated by the movement of Buddhism from India to China. This happened for many reasons. Indian kings had sent missionaries from India to teach about Buddhism before but the cultural diffusion of Buddhism was also a result of people interacting through trade and exchanging just as many new ideas as they did goods. Over many years, Buddhism became one of the most practiced religions in China and also influenced new forms of Confucianism and Taoism. Even the figure you most associate with Buddha, the chubby and happy guy, is actually a Chinese representation of Buddha.
But the Chinese didn't talk about Buddhism's growth in their civilization in terms of cultural diffusion. Instead, they developed a story explaining how Buddhism came to China. That story is called "Journey to the West" and it is excellent. Essentially the story explains that a Chinese monk is tasked with traveling to India to learn about Buddhism. He is accompanied by a variety of supernatural Chinese creatures (the Monkey King, a pig demon, a former river demon, and a dragon that turns into a horse for the monk) related to the basic belief systems of the Chinese. Their task is to protect the monk from monsters and demons who either want to eat the monk to gain his power or fear his goal of bringing Buddhism to China will upset the natural balance.
Check out these resources to learn more about "Journey to the West":
Directions:
Create something related to "Journey to the West". A few acceptable options are listed below but you are not limited to any of them. If you have an idea then get it approved a go from there!
The movement of ideas from one location to another is called cultural diffusion. In the post-classical age, this concept was best demonstrated by the movement of Buddhism from India to China. This happened for many reasons. Indian kings had sent missionaries from India to teach about Buddhism before but the cultural diffusion of Buddhism was also a result of people interacting through trade and exchanging just as many new ideas as they did goods. Over many years, Buddhism became one of the most practiced religions in China and also influenced new forms of Confucianism and Taoism. Even the figure you most associate with Buddha, the chubby and happy guy, is actually a Chinese representation of Buddha.
But the Chinese didn't talk about Buddhism's growth in their civilization in terms of cultural diffusion. Instead, they developed a story explaining how Buddhism came to China. That story is called "Journey to the West" and it is excellent. Essentially the story explains that a Chinese monk is tasked with traveling to India to learn about Buddhism. He is accompanied by a variety of supernatural Chinese creatures (the Monkey King, a pig demon, a former river demon, and a dragon that turns into a horse for the monk) related to the basic belief systems of the Chinese. Their task is to protect the monk from monsters and demons who either want to eat the monk to gain his power or fear his goal of bringing Buddhism to China will upset the natural balance.
Check out these resources to learn more about "Journey to the West":
- Wikipedia - Thorough summary of the story and characters.
- TV Tropes - Great analysis of different themes in the story and how it has been an inspiration or model for other stories.
- YouTube - A video made by the Gorillaz using "Journey to the West" characters for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
- Two versions of the story in English: a comic and a book.
Directions:
Create something related to "Journey to the West". A few acceptable options are listed below but you are not limited to any of them. If you have an idea then get it approved a go from there!
- Write a new story explaining how Buddhism came to China in a way other than cultural diffusion.
- Retell "Journey to the West" with a new twist or perspective.
- Illustrate the story of "Journey to the West" or a scene from it.