Cultural Interactions and Subsequent History, Essay Example

In history, events occur and due to those cultural interactions there is notable impact on subsequent history of the society. This essay will discuss the Buddhist monks traveling from India to China and Babylon captivity, with reference to the role they played in subsequent history.

Babylon captivity refers to the period, 587-538 BCE, when the Jews were held captive by the Babylon. It had been prophesized in the bible that the Jews would be released. These events had an impact on the subsequent history and philosophy of Judaism. The Hebrew script replaced the traditional Israelite script. The Torah emerged in the Jewish life and played a central role. This had the last periods of high biblical prophecy. This was the start of canonization of the bible. Jews got a central text from this. Jewish leaders, scribes and sages emerged during this period. After exile, the Jews organized into clans, contrast to the tribes organized by them into during captivity.

Buddhism is a cultural system of beliefs and practices that put basis on compassion and non attachment principles, which originated from Nepal. Monks like Hsu Yun who came from India during the 150CE brought the culture to China. However, it took over a century to assimilate this through borrowing ideas from Daoism. Later on, it became popular from the emperor to the people. As a result of popularity, schools like Chan Buddhism and pure land Buddhism were formed, Daoism also expanded. There emerged popular figures like bodhisattva Guanyin that originated from India. Buddhism regarded to a superior being, helps in the suffering of the gods. It is used for devotional practices by both Daoists and Chinese Buddhist. Also led to production of spiritual masters considered as Chinas treasure. It brought significance to the capital city of Xi’an, Tang, as it became an indispensable center as from here the culture spread to Korea and Japan. Caves that had scriptures and structure like Mogao caves and Longmen Grattoes are historical places. Traditions where Buddhism is celebrated every 2 years is significance.