Han dynasty
The Han dynasty (C. Han chao 漢朝) (206 BC–220 AD) was the second imperial dynasty of China. It was preceded by the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD). Spanning over four centuries, the Han period is considered a golden age in Chinese history. To this day, China's majority ethnic group refers to themselves as the "Han Chinese" and the Chinese script is referred to as "Han characters".
The dynasty was briefly interrupted by the Xin dynasty (9–23 AD), and is thus separated into two periods—the Western Han (202 BC – 9 AD) and the Eastern Han (25–220 AD).
Modern scholars believe that Buddhism first entered China during the Eastern Han era.
Western Han (202 BC – 9 AD)
Western Han (Chinese: 西漢; pinyin: Xīhàn), also known as the Former Han (Chinese: 前漢; pinyin: Qiánhàn), was the successor to the Qin dynasty (221–207 BC). It was established by Liu Bang after he defeated his rival at the Battle of Gaixia (202 BC) in modern-day Anhui. Chang'an (modern Xi'an) was chosen as the new capital of the reunified empire under Han rule.[1]
The Western Han period came to an end following a battle for succession and civil war. It was succeeded by the short-lived Xin dynasty (9–23 AD).
Eastern Han (25–220 AD)
The Eastern Han (Chinese: 東漢; pinyin: Dōnghàn), also known as the Later Han (Chinese: 後漢; pinyin: Hòuhàn), formally began on 5 August AD 25, when Liu Xiu became Emperor Guangwu of Han.[2] He established his capital at Luoyang.
Modern scholars believe that Buddhism first entered China during the Eastern Han era. Buddhism was first mentioned in 65 AD. Liu Ying (d. 71 AD), a half-brother to Emperor Ming of Han (r. 57–75 AD), was one of its earliest Chinese adherents, although Chinese Buddhism at this point was heavily associated with Huang-Lao Daoism.[3] China's first known Buddhist temple, the White Horse Temple, was constructed during Emperor Ming's reign.[4]
Foreign travelers to the Eastern Han empire included Buddhist monks who translated works into Chinese, such as An Shigao from Parthia, and Lokaksema from Kushan-era Gandhara.[5][6]
Important Buddhist texts were translated into Chinese during the 2nd century CE, including the Sutra of Forty-two Chapters, Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, Śūraṅgama Samādhi Sūtra, and Pratyutpanna Sutra.
In addition to tributary relations with the Kushans, the Han empire received gifts from sovereigns in the Parthian Empire, as well as from kings in modern Burma and Japan. He also initiated an unsuccessful mission to Rome in AD 97 with Gan Ying as emissary.[7][8]
Further reading
Han Dynasty, Wikipedia
Notes
- ↑ Loewe (1986), p. 122.
- ↑ Knechtges (2010), p. 116.
- ↑ Demiéville (1986), pp. 821–822.
- ↑ Demiéville (1986), p. 823.
- ↑ Akira (1998), pp. 248, 251.
- ↑ Zhang (2002), p. 75.
- ↑ de Crespigny (2007), pp. 239–240, 497, 590.
- ↑ Yü (1986), pp. 450–451, 460–461.
Sources
- See Han Dynasty#Sources cited, Wikipedia
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