Difference between revisions of "Other Followers of Buddhism on the Silk Road"
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+ | [[Kucha]] was an oasis on the northern {{Wiki|Silk Road}} (see map), populated by [[people]] of {{Wiki|Indo-European}} origin. During the [[time]] of the Kushana [[empire]], the Kucheans adopted [[Buddhism]], and by the third century CE, [[Kucha]] had become one of the most important sites for both [[Shravakayana]] and [[Mahayana Buddhism]] in {{Wiki|Central Asia}}. Travellers were impressed by the number of [[monasteries]] and [[stupas]] which had been built by the Kucheans. | ||
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− | + | The [[Buddhism]] of [[Kucha]] influenced other states along the northern {{Wiki|Silk Road}} (such as {{Wiki|Turfan}} and Karashahr) and Kuchean [[Buddhist]] [[missionaries]] travelled further eastward, some of them reaching [[China]]. [[Kumarajiva]], one of the greatest of the translators of [[Buddhism]] into {{Wiki|Chinese}}, came from [[Kucha]]. By the eighth century CE, under pressure from the {{Wiki|Chinese}} and the Turks, [[Kucha]] was no longer active as a [[Buddhist]] centre. | |
− | + | The Sogdians | |
− | + | The state of Sogdiana existed on the western end of the {{Wiki|Silk Road}}, just {{Wiki|north}} of [[Gandhara]] (see map). The Sogdians were successful {{Wiki|merchants}}, often dominating the trade in silk between the third and seventh centuries CE. In their [[religious]] [[life]], the Sogdians were above all Zoroastrians, but minority [[religions]] including Nestorian {{Wiki|Christianity}}, Manichaeism and [[Buddhism]] were tolerated. | |
− | + | Initially, due to [[influences]] from the {{Wiki|south}}, the Sogdians adopted [[Shravakayana]] [[Buddhism]], and later, in the eighth century under the [[influence]] of [[China]], there was a brief flourishing of [[Mahayana Buddhism]]. [[Elements]] of [[Buddhism]] were often combined with {{Wiki|Zoroastrianism}} and with [[elements]] of other [[religions]] like Manichaeism and Nestorian {{Wiki|Christianity}}. In the eighth century CE, the Sogdians were conquered by the Arabs, and from the middle of the century onwards, {{Wiki|Islam}} became the dominant [[religion]] of the area. | |
− | + | The Uighurs | |
− | + | The {{Wiki|Uighur}} Turks were based in [[Mongolia]] when they first came to prominence by defeating neighbouring {{Wiki|Turkish}} tribes in the eighth century CE. After an early Khagan (ruler) converted, the Uighurs became followers of Manichaeism. After the fall of the Khaganate in 840, some Uighurs migrated to the eastern part of the {{Wiki|Silk Road}} and settled in Ganzhou (in {{Wiki|modern}} Gansu). Others travelled further {{Wiki|west}} and settled in the oases the northern {{Wiki|Silk Road}}, such as [[Kucha]] and {{Wiki|Turfan}}, which became the {{Wiki|Uighur}} {{Wiki|kingdom}} of Kocho (see map). | |
− | + | Under the [[influence]] of the original inhabitants of the northern {{Wiki|Silk Road}} oases, the majority of the Uighurs of Kocho converted to [[Buddhism]]. A large [[Shravakayana]] [[canon]] was translated into {{Wiki|Uighur}}, mainly from the [[language]] of [[Kucha]] and Karashahr. Other [[scriptures]], these mainly [[Mahayana]], were translated from the {{Wiki|Chinese}} and [[Tibetan]]. In 1026 the {{Wiki|kingdom}} of Kocho was conquered by the Tanguts, who continued the [[Buddhist tradition]] of the region. | |
− | + | The Tanguts | |
− | + | The Tangut [[people]] lived the north-east of the {{Wiki|Taklamakan desert}} (see map). During the eleventh century a Tangut leader achieved {{Wiki|independence}} from [[China]] and declared himself [[emperor]]. The Tangut state, known to the {{Wiki|Chinese}} as Xi Xia, "Western Xia", was established at the eastern end of the {{Wiki|Silk Road}}, with its western border a little [[beyond]] {{Wiki|Dunhuang}}, stretching {{Wiki|north}} to what is now [[Mongolia]] and {{Wiki|south}} to the [[Tibetan]] plateau. | |
− | + | The Tangut {{Wiki|emperors}} and their [[subjects]] followed [[Mahayana Buddhism]], which became the state [[religion]]. The Tanguts spoke a [[language]] similar to [[Tibetan]], but created their script on the model of {{Wiki|Chinese}}. Much of the [[Buddhist canon]] was translated into the Tangut [[language]], most it of from [[Tibetan]] sources, probably with the help of [[Tibetan]] [[monks]], and some from {{Wiki|Chinese}}. In the twelfth century a complete [[Tripitaka]] was translated into Tangut, and printed from wooden blocks. | |
− | + | [[Buddhism]] continued to flourish throughout the period of Tangut rule. However, in the thirteenth century the Mongol {{Wiki|army}} of [[Genghis Khan]] targeted the Tangut state, and conquered it in 1227. The Mongol ruler of the Tanguts encouraged their [[conversion]] to {{Wiki|Islam}}, ending the last period of [[Buddhism]] on the {{Wiki|Silk Road}}. | |
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{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://idp.bl.uk/education/buddhism/others/others.html idp.bl.uk] | [http://idp.bl.uk/education/buddhism/others/others.html idp.bl.uk] | ||
− | + | [[Category:Dunhuang]] | |
[[Category:Silk Road]] | [[Category:Silk Road]] |
Latest revision as of 09:31, 20 September 2013
Kucha was an oasis on the northern Silk Road (see map), populated by people of Indo-European origin. During the time of the Kushana empire, the Kucheans adopted Buddhism, and by the third century CE, Kucha had become one of the most important sites for both Shravakayana and Mahayana Buddhism in Central Asia. Travellers were impressed by the number of monasteries and stupas which had been built by the Kucheans.
The Buddhism of Kucha influenced other states along the northern Silk Road (such as Turfan and Karashahr) and Kuchean Buddhist missionaries travelled further eastward, some of them reaching China. Kumarajiva, one of the greatest of the translators of Buddhism into Chinese, came from Kucha. By the eighth century CE, under pressure from the Chinese and the Turks, Kucha was no longer active as a Buddhist centre.
The Sogdians
The state of Sogdiana existed on the western end of the Silk Road, just north of Gandhara (see map). The Sogdians were successful merchants, often dominating the trade in silk between the third and seventh centuries CE. In their religious life, the Sogdians were above all Zoroastrians, but minority religions including Nestorian Christianity, Manichaeism and Buddhism were tolerated.
Initially, due to influences from the south, the Sogdians adopted Shravakayana Buddhism, and later, in the eighth century under the influence of China, there was a brief flourishing of Mahayana Buddhism. Elements of Buddhism were often combined with Zoroastrianism and with elements of other religions like Manichaeism and Nestorian Christianity. In the eighth century CE, the Sogdians were conquered by the Arabs, and from the middle of the century onwards, Islam became the dominant religion of the area.
The Uighurs
The Uighur Turks were based in Mongolia when they first came to prominence by defeating neighbouring Turkish tribes in the eighth century CE. After an early Khagan (ruler) converted, the Uighurs became followers of Manichaeism. After the fall of the Khaganate in 840, some Uighurs migrated to the eastern part of the Silk Road and settled in Ganzhou (in modern Gansu). Others travelled further west and settled in the oases the northern Silk Road, such as Kucha and Turfan, which became the Uighur kingdom of Kocho (see map).
Under the influence of the original inhabitants of the northern Silk Road oases, the majority of the Uighurs of Kocho converted to Buddhism. A large Shravakayana canon was translated into Uighur, mainly from the language of Kucha and Karashahr. Other scriptures, these mainly Mahayana, were translated from the Chinese and Tibetan. In 1026 the kingdom of Kocho was conquered by the Tanguts, who continued the Buddhist tradition of the region.
The Tanguts
The Tangut people lived the north-east of the Taklamakan desert (see map). During the eleventh century a Tangut leader achieved independence from China and declared himself emperor. The Tangut state, known to the Chinese as Xi Xia, "Western Xia", was established at the eastern end of the Silk Road, with its western border a little beyond Dunhuang, stretching north to what is now Mongolia and south to the Tibetan plateau.
The Tangut emperors and their subjects followed Mahayana Buddhism, which became the state religion. The Tanguts spoke a language similar to Tibetan, but created their script on the model of Chinese. Much of the Buddhist canon was translated into the Tangut language, most it of from Tibetan sources, probably with the help of Tibetan monks, and some from Chinese. In the twelfth century a complete Tripitaka was translated into Tangut, and printed from wooden blocks.
Buddhism continued to flourish throughout the period of Tangut rule. However, in the thirteenth century the Mongol army of Genghis Khan targeted the Tangut state, and conquered it in 1227. The Mongol ruler of the Tanguts encouraged their conversion to Islam, ending the last period of Buddhism on the Silk Road.