2.5 Cultural Consequences of Connectivity

Influence of Buddhism on East Asian Culture

• Came to China via Silk Roads

• Zen/Chan Buddhism

  • Buddhist doctrines were fused with elements of Daoist traditions due to monks relating Buddhism to daoist principles

• Korea

  • educated elite studied confucian texts, while Buddhist doctrines attracted peasants.

• Neo-Confucianism

Spread of Hinduism and Buddhism

Sea-Based

• Srivijaya Empire - Hindu

• Majapahit- Buddhist

Land-Based

• Sinhala Dynasties - centers of Buddhist study

  • Buddhist priests often advised monarchs

• Khmer- Hindu and Buddhist

Spread of Islam

Through merchants, missionaries and conquests, Islamic spread rapidly out of Arabia.

• Africa

  • Swahili - blended language of Bantu and Arabic

  • Timbuktu- Islamic learning center

• South Asia

  • Emphasis on equality, attracted many low caste Hindus

  • Urdu - Hindi, Arabic and Farsi

  • Buddhists converted after facing corrupt Buddhist priests.

Diffusion of scientific or technological innovations

• Muslims translated Greek classics, preserving ancient work from erasure

• Muslims introduced paper-making from china to Europeans

  • Printing technology → higher literacy rates

• Use of Champa Rice, grew population