Chapter 1: The Resurgence of Empire in East Asia

Xuanzang

Chinese Buddhist monk who escaped China; devoted to Buddhism; scholar, traveler, and translator who described the interaction between China and India in the early Tang period; famous for his 17 year trip to India and back.

Buddhism

religion found by Siddhartha Gautama/Buddha based on 4 Noble Truths, eliminating desires, reaching nirvana

Yang Jian

founder/ 1st emperor of Sui Dynasty centralizing imperial rule in China

Sui Dynasty

581-618, Chinese dynasty that constructed the Grand Canal, reunited China thru strong centralized gov, set following Tangs up for success

Grand Canal

series of artificial waterways & canals that linked Yangzi & Huang He rivers, serving as principal internal trade conduit stretching 2000 km

Sui Yangdi

604-618, 2nd Sui emperor completed the Grand Canal, ruled with high taxes & forced labor; disastrous military exp in Korea= assassination & Sui end

Tang Taizong

(627- 649) 2nd emperor of Tang dynasty was ambitious and ruthless; overthrew fam but ruled as fair Confucian, built Chang'an capital & brought China under era of prosperity and stability, 3 policies

equal-field system

Chinese system during Tang that ensured equal distribution of land to avoid social problems by allotting land based on fertility and one's needs; stability & prosperity

Uighurs

nomadic Turkish people who were hired by the Tang to defeat the rebellion; contribute to Tang decline

Song Dynasty

(960-1279 CE) cosmopolitan Chinese dynasty after Tang reimposed central rule but never created a powerful state bc emphasized civil administration, industry, edu & arts, not military

Song Taizu

(960-976) 1st Song emperor who rose to power after troops proclaimed him emperor, spread Song control thru China, got rid of competition for power, regarded all state officials, expanded merit based bureaucracy

Hangzhou

capital of Southern Song Dynasty near end of empire, wealthy port city

Li Bai

701-761; one of the most popular poets of the Tang era, famous for his commentary on Chinese social life

foot binding

tight wrapping of young girls' feet with strips of cloth that prevented natural growth of the bones and resulted in tiny, malformed, curved feet; to enhance attractiveness and control behavior

Wu Zhao

626-706, only women emperor of China, intelligent & beautiful concubine of Tang Taizong; secret police force and improvements

porcelain

light, thin adaptable pottery highly valuable during Tang and Song aka chinaware

gunpowder

explosive powder made from saltpeter, sulfur, arsenic, and charcoal discovered by Daoist alchemist finding a life promoting elixir during Tang

Qing

(1644-1911 CE), the last imperial dynasty of China that reached peak during Kangxi & Qianlong rule; printed money

Mahayana Buddhism

"Greater vehicle" confucian & daoist traditions made way for this new more metaphysical popular northern Buddhist branch

Confucianism

lost credibility after Han bc invasions; philosophy based on the ideas of Confucius that focuses on morality, family order, social harmony, and government

Buddhism

came to Dunhuang over Silk roads; A religion based on the teachings of the Buddha

Dunhuang

Western Chinese city located on silk road that transmitted Mahayana Buddhism to China; large Buddhist community est in 4th century w temples, libraries, monasteries

Daoism

philosophy originated in Zhou dynasty w philosopher Laozi that calls for noncompetition and harmony

nirvana

Indian term for salvation achieved after one escapes cycle of incarnation; translate to wuwei

wuwei

Daoist ethic of noncompetion and disengagement from world affairs

Xuanzang

Chinese-Buddhist monk who traveled to India to learn Indian Buddhism and help spread into China

Chan Buddhism

influential Chinese Buddhism branch that doesn't focus on texts but intuition and sudden flashes of insight

Neo-Confucianism

philosophy that merged Confucian elements & traditions w Buddhist thought; shows Buddhisms influence

Zhu Xi

Neo-Confucian Chinese philosopher & writer of "Family Rituals" emphasizing on individuals role and standards but focused on theoretical/metaphysical ideas

Silla Dynasty

early Korean dynasty flourished in 7th and 8th century prevented Chinese domination; compromise w overtaking Tang and recognize as overlord=tributary relationship (trade and study)

Nam Viet

early Chinese name for Vietnam; Tang armies take over but Viets resent

Nara

710-794 period in Japan during Soga clan & move capital to Nara where Chinese influence never more prominent

Shinto

Japan's indigenous religion that revolves around ancesetor veneration, nature spirits, and purity; Japan remains distinct

Heian

period 794-1185 in Japan that was cultural era w 1st novel written, emperors serve as authority symbols while Fujiwara fam rules; literature, business, alphabet develop reflect Chinese influence

The Tale of Genji

world's first novel written by aristocratic Lady Murasaki during Heian period; reflects court life thru prince

shogun

military leader that rules in emperors place (after Heian Japan)

samurai

professional warriors who served provincial lords w military force & protection in exchange for food, clothes, house