Buddhism and Dunhuang (Entry #7)

The Silk Road blossomed after the fall of the Han dynasty, which created a diverse world where various cultures wanted “foreign luxuries” in their hands. Many things were traded and influences were exchanged so this formed cultural concoctions between the civilizations. Animals became a huge part of life in Dunhuang and along the Silk Road because they were considered exotic and useful. Horses were valuable for warfare and became important to the point that princesses were exchanged for them. Camels came in handy for food, transportation across deserts and their hair was used for cloth. Animals like hawks were used for hunting while other creatures were a source of entertainment or gifts. Horses were used for dancing and polo was introduced by Persia, which became quite common as palaces had spaces incorporated inside for this sport. Also, many emperors were given animals as a gift, such as hawks. Myths were also part of life as mystical features were attached to these exotic animals to explain their origin or specific traits; i.e. camels were “flying camels” for their durability in deserts. Another facet that became widespread was the "drinking culture" in which wine was mingled with games as a pastime. However, not all believed that alcohol was a source of "righteousness and wisdom" so tea was introduced as a substitute. Tea then became important in Buddhism as it was used for meditation.



Buddhism didn’t exactly figure into various cities quickly but it was done through a gradual process. This is because the texts had to be translated from Sanskrit (a “barbarian language”) and at first, only “foreigners” (such as merchants) from Central Asia had practiced it. It was also controlled by the government since the state tried to restrict the amount of monks and nuns that entered monasteries. This was done because monasteries were not liable to taxes. Moreover, Buddhism probably survived because it had to adapt to its environment. It had to mix in with the culture of the region it existed in. For example, monks and nuns that lived in places where Confucianism was practiced kept their family ties and responsibilities intact; even though monastic life required adherents to move away from these relations. While the practice of Buddhism varied across places, there were still general rules that monasteries followed, such as sticking to “somber” colours for their robes or relying on charity from the laity.


(Offerings found in Dunhuang caves)

On the socio-political side, there were many disrupts in the government with regards to the rulers. Numerous emperors controlled Dunhuang so there are different pieces of art in the caves that depict the beliefs and designs of each ruler. Moreover, the flow of different cultures along the Silk Route resulted in either “trade, peace or war”. One of the threats towards Buddhism was Islamic forces, which carried out to destroy Buddhist sculptures and art as Islam was against iconography. Marriage alliance was one method that brought together different rulers, so as to avoid being conquered by “barbarians”. The outcome of these rebellious attacks from groups like Xiongnu, sometimes resulted in princesses entering monasteries so they could escape marriage alliances. This shows the amount of political tension and fear that existed. It furthermore portrays the women’s position in society as often they didn’t have a choice in these marriages. I was particularly interested in the fact that there aren’t many documents on women or children, unless they were from a royal family so they most likely were not focused on or considered important. Again, this is shown in the Sogdian letters, in which a woman is abandoned by her husband in a city but cannot return home for she has no authority to do so, unless her husband or relatives allow it.


(Art in a Dunhuang cave)

Dunhuang probably served as a pilgrimage site for Buddhist monks and nuns to gain merit, meditate or to give offerings because it was mainly busy when there were major festivals. For the laity, it also served as merit profit for they could give donations in their name that helped with the upkeep and creation of the caves.