During the spread of Buddhism into China there were those who supported and opposed to its expanse. Buddhism was founded in India in the sixth century B.C.E. and came to China by the first century C.E. and continued between 220 C.E and 570 C.E; the responses of the growth of Buddhism in China varied from supporting the advancement and opposing it. To begin, throughout the spread of Buddhism in China many supported its growth as seen in documents one, two, three, and five. Document 1 is a passage from a book explaining the four noble truths or in other words gives guidance on how to practice Buddhism properly and reach Nirvana. Which I believe supports the spread of Buddhism in China because it promotes Buddhism in how it explains how to…show more content… To begin document four is a memorial on Buddhism which is very hateful and speaks of Buddhism intrusively; he describes Buddhism as a foreign idea that does not fit with important Confucianism ideas. He judges Buddhism as an evil that needs to be vanquished. Document four shows how many opposed the expanse Buddhism’s teaching had reached in China, how the idea of a new religion was upsetting to many since in their perspective it conflicted with the religion followed mostly in China at the time, Confucianism. Furthermore, document six is an edict on Buddhism is furious with the Buddhism spreading in China and also defensive as he protects the traditional customs in China that are threatened by Buddhism. In addition, the author to the edict is Tang Emperor Wu who is seems to feel less powerful because of Buddhism’s teachings, “…causes people to abandon their lords…”. Buddhist’s teachings promote happiness of oneself which allows people to focus on themselves and not their omnipotent emperor, which seems to initiate fear and envy towards the possibility Buddhism can bring for the Tang Emperor Wu’s position of power. As previously stated document three is an interview where the interviewer is hostile towards the ideas of Buddhism and questions the belief by explaining the different views Buddhism has in a negative light, which seems to be from misunderstanding of the religion. Since the one who answers the questions, answers knowledgably with the ways of Buddhism. Document three shows a large group of people who oppose Buddhism because they are attempting to defend and conserve China’s traditional
