Cross-Cultural Interaction between Buddhism and Other Asian Religions
The emergence and spread of Buddhism across Asia represent a transformative moment in human civilization.
Beyond religious adoption, Buddhism sparked a fusion of political ideologies, triggering innovations in geography, cosmology, language, and urban spaces.
In China, Buddhism disrupted the traditional divide between ‘official’ and ‘civilian’ zones, introducing quasi-public spaces accessible to all.
This shift is evident in the Luoyang Qielan ji, revealing the profound impact of Indo-European cultural influences.
During the Han and Tang Dynasties, Buddhism played a pivotal role in reshaping the East Asian cultural landscape.
Monks like Faxian and Xuanzang fostered exchanges, making China a new center of the Buddhist world.
This expansion reached the Korean Peninsula and Japan, establishing a millennium-long Buddhist legacy.
Beyond China, Buddhism maintained maritime connections with South Asia and Southeast Asia, while Tibetan Buddhism influenced Inner Asia during the late Tang dynasty.
This interplay of cultures wove a rich tapestry in Asian civilizational history.
