Post Classical China Sui, Tang, Song Dynasties
* Buddhism Spreads Quickly Buddha In India Confucius in China Tang Sung Dynasty Dynasty THE GOLDEN AGE
China reunited under the Sui
Sui Dynasty, C.E. “Land Equalization” System –> land redistribution. Unified coinage. Grand Canal constructed. Established an army of professional soldiers. People were overworked and overtaxed!
The Grand Canal
The Grand Canal Today
Tang Dynasty, C.E. Imperial examination system perfected. (meritocracy established) Liberal attitude towards all religions. Spread of Buddhism in China Golden Age of foreign relations with other countries. Japan, Korea, Persia
Tang Government Organization
Tang Dynasty, C.E. New technologies: – Printing --> moveable print – Porcelain – Gunpowder – Mechanical clocks More cosmopolitan culture. Reestablished the safety of the Silk Road. Tea comes into China from Southeast Asia.
Empress Wu Zetian, The only female Empress in China’s history who ruled alone. Searched for outstanding individuals to attract to her court. Construction of new irrigation systems. Buddhism was the favored state religion. Financed the building of many Buddhist temples.
Foot-Binding in Tang China Broken toes by 3 years of age. Size 5 ½ shoe on the right
Foot-Binding in Tang China Mothers bound their daughters’ feet.
The Results of Foot-Binding
It was a dynasty of prosperity and education. Literature, science, technology, art, and poetry flourished.
The Sung (Song) Dynasty CE Technology continued to advance. They created manufactured goods to export to other areas of the world. The Arts flourished. A combination of Buddhism and Confucianism were added to the civil service exams. (This was called Neo – Confucianism.) A scholar-official
Confucius says: Peace and social order come by acting “right” in all of our relationships. “Those above should be kind to those below.” Ruler Father Older Sibling Husband Friend Subject Son Younger Sibling Wife Friend “ Those below should Respect and Obey those above.”
Buddha Says: We should speak in a manner that does not hurt others. We should act in a way that does not harm others. We should make a living in a way that does not harm others. We should strive to get rid of any hurtful thought or attitude. We should get rid of greed and overcome ignorance.
Rice Cultivation Began Under the Song
Agriculture
Cities Southern Gate of Chang’an
Art and Writing Poet Li BoPoet Du Fu