The Silk Road Spreads Buddhism Directions: Read the document below. Answer the questions that follow in complete sentences.

The Silk Road
The opening of a new way from India to China, called "the Silk Road," was first established by the Chinese, venturing out in search of horses and trade, and it dates back to the second century BC. From that time, it became a regular journey for traders seeking opportunities for wealth. The Silk Road was a network of trade routes which connected the East and West, and was central to the economic, cultural, political, and religious interactions between these regions in the following centuries, the route fell under control of different political groups, but was always well used until the 15th century AD when sea trade dominated.

From early days, silk was exported from China to Italy where it became immensely popular. Grapes and wine making were soon introduced to the East as well as perfumes, spices, unknown animals and birds such as peacocks. From China, we first encountered roses, oranges and pears. There was considerable cost to transport all these items, but the profits were huge for successful traders.

The Silk Road began near Iran and India, went south of the Caspian Sea, and then took one of two routes, along the borders of the Taklamakan desert. The two routes joined in North Western China.

The route was treacherous and crossed huge deserts, as well as difficult mountain passes and steep valleys. A well organised expedition relied on camels and good knowledge of local watering holes. Bandits were common and many traders perished on the journey.

Buddhism Spreads
From about the first century BC, Buddhism began its spread along the Silk Road. Buddhist monks also travelled with the traders along the way and soon Buddhist monasteries were everywhere along the route between India and China. The monasteries were used by travellers as safe places to rest overnight, and sometimes for longer periods to recuperate from an illness. Donations were generously given and the monasteries flourished. Later, with the spread of Islam into the regions around the Silk Road, many of the stupas and temples were destroyed.

In the middle of the first century AD, a Han Chinese Emperor became interested in Buddhism. He sent envoys to India and in 67 AD they returned with Buddhist writings. He then proceeded to have these texts translated into Chinese. Monks, missionaries and pilgrims began travelling from India to Central Asia and then on to China, bringing Buddhist writings and paintings, while converts followed the Silk Road West."

After spreading to China, Buddhism spread into Korea in the fourth century AD and soon after into Japan. In Japan a new school of Buddhist thought called Zen Buddhism formed. Buddhism is still widely practiced there.
Although China passed on the Buddhist message, the Buddhist philosophy almost disappeared in China and was to be found in small pockets often around existing temples, and only recently has there been a reversal of this trend. In 845, foreign religions were banned in China and a persecution of Buddhist groups greatly reduced numbers. This was followed by the political climate of the 20th Century which discouraged most religious activities.

Tibet was one of the last countries to accept the Buddhist message, it was not widely accepted until the 11th century AD. Tibetan Buddhism inherited many of the traditions of late Indian Buddhism, including a strong emphasis on monasticism (Tibet was once home to the largest Buddhist monasteries in the world), a
sophisticated scholastic philosophy, and elaborate forms of tantric practice. At the same time Tibet continued its tradition of powerful popular cults, incorporating a wide variety of local deities into the already burgeoning Buddhist pantheon.

Unique to Tibetan Buddhism is the institution of the tulku (living lama): Tibetan Buddhists believe that
compassionate teachers are reborn again and again, in each lifetime identified when they are children and invested with the office and prestige of their previous rebirths. Tibet has had many such lamas, the most famous of whom is the Dalai Lama. The Fifth Dalai Lama became ruler of Tibet in 1642, and under his rule was built the great palace of the Potala in Lhasa, the country’s capital.

Tibetan Buddhism is a religion in exile, forced from its homeland when Tibet was conquered by the Chinese in 1951. The present (Fourteenth) Dalai Lama went into exile in India in 1959, when the Tibetan diaspora began. Since that time, Tibetan Buddhism has become of increasing interest to people throughout the world.

In a well-developed paragraph based on the secondary source text above, explain the significance of the enduring issue theme, human interaction/interconnectedness. Be sure to include a definition for human interaction/ interconnectedness.