East Asian is a sub-section of Asian that can either be defined by its culture or ecological growth. Research shows that twenty two percent of the population in the world lives in geographical region of East Asian. These illustrates that East Asian is the most populated region in the world with one hundred and thirty three occupants per square kilometer. Traditionally, a lot of East Asian societies have adopted the classical Chinese culture (Kimura 88).
Buddhism religion in East Asian
In the 3rd century, Ashoka the ruler sent followers to the northwest of India. The missionary and the merchants were very successful in spreading Buddhism in the region. They also learnt about it when they came for trade in Central Asia and spread Buddhism to their region.
The Chinese had their former contact with Buddhism in the central Asians (Kimura 102). Buddhism is one of the major faith in East Asian which was initiated into China in the Han Empire from India in the early centuries. It was originally introduced to Korea by the China in three hundred and seventy two and eventually in Japan at around the sixth century. Extensively, Buddhism remains an overseas religion in China with very few followers who were taught by migrant Indian tutors.
The period of Han Dynasty
Han dynasty was the second empire of China that succeeded the third kingdom. Han kingdom lasted for four centuries and was considered as a golden period in the Chinese history. During this period, China approved the Confucianism as an administration official condition policy and was included in the school curriculum. In this period, women were taken as inferior in the society and they could not acquire power in the government (Susan 76).
The territories were divided into regions that were ruled by central government known as commanders. These kingdoms slowly lost their remnants of independence following the uprising of the 7th state. When Han Empire collapsed, China faced a phase of political disunity and at the same time Buddhism religion was still flourishing. In this period, the economic growth lead to significant intensification of financial system.
Han Dynasty of China led to increase in trade and culture in Central Asian and China, a community of Buddhism was established in the middle of the 1st century. As a result, immense growth of Buddhism more Chinese texts were translated in Buddhism language in East Asian. The tang period led to a significant growth in printing and carpentry which also boosted the economic state of East China (Kimura25).
Women in Power
Empress Wu Zetain
The Empress Wu Zetian was the most influential defender of Buddhism in East Asian. She was born from a commercial family in the Shanxi province and at the age of fourteen she was chosen to serve the empire (Susan 1990). Wu was seen as a lovely and attractive lady though she did not find sexual favor with men in the Emperor and it took her twelve years of power to learn political and foreign affairs. Wu ZHAU led to an improvement in infrastructure especially in agricultural sector, social and revenue collection.
She was an ideal leader who did not entertain corruption even to her family members and close friends. During her Tang Empire reign in Chinese, Buddhism had a significant growth that made it reach a new level and influence the culture. Wu lined as China’s only female monarch, Empress opposed the Confusion convictions on feminine. Wu used chosen scriptures from Buddhism in formation of several visual illustration of Buddha; these include the use of stone patterns and statues in the city.
Due to strong communication of the East Asian and its neighbor, Buddhism sites were constructed which were sponsored by Wu Zetian (Susan 89). Longmen was one of the statues that was constructed under the sponsorship of Wu Zetain. Wu was seen as brutal due her attempt to grab power; traditional historians perceived that she had even executed her own daughter to frame Empress Wang.
Master Kung the disciple of Confucianism
Master Kung was the disciple of Confucianism religion that had a cultural pressure on china. The teaching of Confucianism was not considered as a Faith in East Asian since it had no cleric, holy writings and monasticism. Master Kung was born at five hundred and fifty one years before Christ from a noble family. Despite him being from poor background, he was able to acquire good education.
During his teenage years, he was able to acquire a trivial post in administration. Later he married, got a son but later he divorced. In his late twenty, he was able to enroll as a tutor which enabled him to become a teacher of government, history, verse, ethics and songs. At fifty, he was appointed as the Minister of Public Works where his reign was supreme. Despite his rule being perfect, his enemies schemed against him and was forced to retire at the age of fifty five.
Twelve years later, he spent his time wandering from place to place to a point of landing into prison. At the age of 67years, he was appointed as a mentor to the Duke of Ai. He later spent his time in teaching and assembling Chinese manuscripts.
Confucius died four hundred and seventy nine years before Christ; he was seen as a wise man, morally upright, courageous and sensitive. As a tutor, Confucius taught that men should love and cater for each other and be human-hearted. He believed in normal goodness of a man and was hold as a transmitter of community norms but not as an originator.
Shang Dynasty in East Asian
Shang Dynasty, 1766-1050BC was the most accepted Chinese empire during the Bronze Age. The Shang people were from a stratified culture ruled by nobility where the rulers were forces, religious leaders and politicians (Fong 47). During this period, writing was invented and they practiced agriculture where they cultivated millets.
Shang also participated in construction of cities with well-organized system of government. They also practiced horse riding, bronze technology and human sacrifice. During this period, art was considered as a ritual ceremony in tombs and burials (Fong 10). They worshipped the predecessor by performing rituals, offering human sacrifices and consulting them before undertaking any action.
Conclusion
As we have seen, East Asian is the most populous country in the world. Buddhism had a great influence in the East Asian culture that lead to adoption of new customs. Buddhism was introduced to East Asian regions by the missionaries and the merchants. During the reign of Master Kung, Confucianism was highly practiced. In this period, women were considered as inferior and could not acquire any position in the government.
Wu Zetain was considered ruthless who opposed the Confucianism practices. In her time women could acquire positions in government and own properties. During her reign was seen as an ideal woman who did not entertain corruption in the government. Shang dynasty was seen as a period where ancestors were consulted before undertaking any task. Human sacrifice, agriculture, writing were invented in these period (Fong 80).
Works Cited
Harvie, Charles, Fukunari Kimura, and Hyun-Hoon Lee. New East Asia Regionalism. Korea: Kangwon National University, 2005.
Mann, Susan. Women’s and Gender History in Global Perspective: East Asia. Washington, DC: American Historical Association, 1990.
Wen C., Fong, ed. The Great Bronze Age of China: An Exhibition from the People’s Republic of China. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art; Knopf, 1980.