The Silk Road and Buddhism Flashcards
Where did the Silk Road occur?
What was the Silk Road
A network of multiple routes of trade that gradually emerged over centuries. 2nd cent bce Ambassadors and merchents sent to trade silk and jade for horses and cotton with Persia and India. Originating in India, the Silk road helped spread Bhuddism to China and Japan where it became the dominant religion.
Brief history of Buddhism
Siddhartha, the Buddha. Founder of Buddhism.
What does Esoteric mean?
Only understood by a small number of people with especially those with special knowledge.
Three main schools of Buddhism located around different areas and with different subject matter:
Hinayana- India , Sri Lanka and areas of Southeast Asia. Mahayana North Asia: Korea China Japan (Pursuit of Enlightenment through BODHISATTVAS who postpone their own enlightenment for us.)
Vajarayana- Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, China, Japan (Also believe in Bodhisattvas)
Some stops along the silk road contained different monuments- One a watchtower
Served as a watch tower made 3rd century BCE.
Monks funerary Stupas on the Silk Road
Often Monks would die on the long arduous journey through the desert.
Mogao Caves at Dunhuang
Next to the oasis, it was a gateway to the West and East. It acted as a shelter for travellers. It contained many secret caves within the cave, discovered after cracks formed from an Earthquake in 1905. Due to the low humidity, darkness and coolness, many well-preserved pieces are rare. For example, a silk painting of the Buddha preaching with his disciples on a lotus throne is an amazing find considering the fragility of silk. Unfortunately, some looters wanted to take a part of the statue and decapitate them to bring it back. Hundreds of rooms full of Buddhist artworks, the many caves each individual works of art within works of art.
Mogao Caves: Lotus Sutra
Very unique sutra as it is the earliest example of deep blue paper with golden calligraphy. Tranlated by polyglot Pelliot, currently in the Paris Library.
How were the caves used?
Monks would remain inside small caves and meditate as recluses despite being mocked by locals.
Ceiling styles of the Caves varied: Slopping gable
Slopping gable shaped ceilings placed the Buddha at the centre with his disciples, then repeated Buddhas surrounded him- 999 of them which represented infinity.
