Buddhism in China

Buddhism was introduced to China during the Han period, around 206 B.C.- 220 A.D. After the introduction, Mahayana Buddhism, which is the most prominence branch of Buddhism in China, played an important role in shaping Chinese civilization. Chinese civilization had a profound impact on teh way Buddhism was transformed in China. The influence of Buddhism grew to such an extent that vast amounts of financial and human resources were expanded on creation and established of impressive works of art and elaborate temples.

Lao Zi and Taoism

The history of Taosim stretches all throughout Chinese history. It originated in prehistoric China, it has exerted a powerful influence over Chinese culture throughout the ages. Taoism evolved in response to changing times, its doctrine and associated practices revised and refined. The founder of Taoism is Laozi, whos birth name was Li Erh, hewas a native of the southern feudal state of Chu. Laozi underwent a profound spiritual awakening, and then traveled to the western frontier, where he disapeard forever into the land of immortals. Taoism began in around 500-400 B.C. and spread throughout the world.

The Unification of China

The Qin Dynasty was the first ruling dynasty of Imperial China, lasting from 221-206 B.C. The Qin's strength had been consolidated by Lord Shang Yang in the fourth century B.C, during the Warring Sates Period. In the early third century B.C., the Qin accomplished a series of swift conquests; the state subjugated the Chu, remnants of the Zhou Dynasty, and various other states to gain undisputed control of China. During its reign over China, the Qin Dynasty achieved many things such as; an increased trade, improved agriculture, as well as military security.

Zheng He

Zheng He was originally named Ma He and was born into a Muslim family just beyond the boarders of China in 1371. His ancestors were the Arabians who immigrated into China during the Tang and Song dynasties (618-1279). While he was a young boy the Ming Dynasty conquered his province in 1378, and he was taken to the imperial Chinese capital to serve as a court eunuch. Zheng helped Zhu Yuanzhang defeat the Yuan dynasty, and was rewarded with an official post in the government.
In 1402, after Emperor Cheng Zu of the Ming Dynasty ascended the throne, he dispatched Zheng He and Wang Jinghong to lead a large fleet to the Western Sea, which is now present day Southeast Asia. The fleet contained a large number of soldiers and and even larger quantity of goods. The fleet reached the countries of Southeast Asian, east Africa and Arabia, initiating a feat in the history of navigation and regarded as an unprecedented great historical period in Chinese history of trade and cultural exchanges.

Mongols Take China

The Mongol invasion of China lasted over six decades, and defeated the Jin Dynasty and the Southern Song. The Mongols under control of Kublai Khan established the Yuan dynasty in China and destroyed the Last Song resistance and broke through the great wall in 1279, which marked the onset of all China under the Yuan. This was the first time that China as a whole was ruled under and by a foreign state.

The Sung Dynasty

The Sung dynasty made the military subordinate to the civil government. Every aspect of government and society was dominated by the civil government. The civil service test was expanded so that the government, centralizing the control of the dynasty at the capital. Education flourished and the economy also continued to expand. The Sung Dynasty lasted from 969-1126 A.D. Although the education was flourishing there was one large problem, the military was very weak. The Sung's military was not very powerful and they frequently signed treaties to end fighting. These treaties usually included stipulations requiring the Sung to pay tributes to the enemies they were fighting. The Sung fell apart due to differences in opinions by the civil bureaucrats. This had a huge effect on China because it was basically a lesson teaching how a balance of education and military schools and jobs is needed.

Tang Dynasty

The Tang dynasty is closely associated with the Sui, and are often discussed as the same dynasty. This specific dynasty lasted from 618-907 A.D. Much of the power was made possible through the canals built by the Sui. These canals were helpful for communication to all parts of the empire. The canals were also used to transport goods from the south to the north. These canals were important in the economic development of the Tang empire. The administration was composed of four main departments; A Department of State Affairs, and Imperial Chancellory, an Imperial Grand Secretariat, and a Council of State. The Tang Dynasty also made many advances. They first compiled the Tang code in 624 A.D This is the first complete Chinese code that still exists. This event effected China because it continued to follow the written set of penalties that are applied based on the crime and the degree of relation between the criminal and the offended person.