The Tang Dynasty's Culture

The Tang Dynasty's Culture

Poetry was a large part of the culture during the Tang Dynasty. Li Bai was a poet who lived from 701 C.E. to 762 C.E., during a very stable time period of the Tang Dynasty's empire. "He was a genius whose works were full of passion, imagination and also elegance" ("Chinese Poetry"). One of his poems is "Jing Ye Si (Thoughts on the Silent Night)." This poem is very short and very well-known. and Li Bai wrote over nine hundred other poems. Li Bai's poems show that he cared about China, he respected other people, and he did not approve of some of the Tang Dynasty's rulers' actions. He cared about freedom and equality. Nearly one hundred of Li Bai's poems are about how women should have equal rights as men. "In poignant, subtle tones, the poet describes the distressing plight of women under feudal oppression, voices their aspirations, praises their good intentions and innocence, and laments their frustrations" ("Li Bai, Great Poet"). Li Bai's poems affected many other types of literature during the Tang Dynasty, which helped the Tang culture to develop.

"Long Yearning"
Li Bai

"Long yearning,
To be in Chang'an.
The grasshoppers weave their autumn song
by the golden railing of the well;
Frost coalesces on my bamboo mat,
changing its colour with cold.
My lonely lamp is not bright,
I’d like to end these thoughts;
I roll back the hanging, gaze at the moon,

and long sigh in vain.
The beautiful person's like a flower
beyond the edge of the clouds.
Above is the black night of heaven's height;
Below is the green water billowing on.
The sky is long, the road is far,
bitter flies my spirit;
The spirit I dream can't get through,
the mountain pass is hard.
Long yearning,
Breaks my heart."

Li Bai's poetry affected the way that other people in the Tang Dynasty wrote because Li Bai wrote in a different style. The change in the style of literature helped the Tang Dynasty's culture to develop.

http://www.myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=Li_Bai_Flushing

"Jing Ye Si"
("Thoughts on a Still Night")
Li Bai

Translation:
"Before my bed
There is bright-lit moonlight
So that it seems
Like frost on the ground.

Lifting my head
I watch the bright moon
Lowering my head
I dream that I'm home."

This poem depicts the culture of the Tang Dynasty because Li Bai's poems influenced literature in several ways during the Tang Dynasty. Li Bai's style of writing was different from other poets' styles of writing. His poems changed the way that other writers wrote. Literature was a significant part of the Tang Dynasty's culture.

http://www.sacu.org/poetry.html

 

Religions and Ideologies of the Tang Dynasty

Religions and Ideologies of the Tang Dynasty

The major religion of the Tang Dynasty was Buddhism. The fall of the Han Dynasty caused uncertainty for 300 years, and this led to the increase of Buddhism's popularity. Buddhism was very common during the Tang Dynasty, and it reunited China after 300 years of political issues. Over time, Buddhist monasteries became wealthier and Buddhism became more popular among Tang rulers. One of the rulers of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Wuzong, forced people to become Buddhist. Another ruler, Emperor Gaozong, honored a monk named Xunazang for traveling to India in order to learn about Buddhism. Xunazang also looked for a Buddhist scripture in India. However, as the Tang Dynasty declined, Buddhism became less influential. Other religions, including Islam and Christianity, eventually spread to China as well.

Buddhism Symbol
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Dharma_Wheel.svg/170px-Dharma_Wheel.svg.png

Some of Buddhism's beliefs are about reincarnation and Nirvana. Reincarnation is when people are reborn after dying, and Nirvana is the state of freedom from suffering. Buddhism's core values include the Three Trainings or Practices, the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the Five Precepts. Buddhism's core beliefs tell people how they should live their lives and what rules they should follow.

The Three Trainings or Practices are Sila, Samadhi, and Prajna. Sila is about morality, good conduct, equality, and ideas similar to the Golden Rule. Samadi is about concentration and meditation. Prajna is about wisdom and having a calm mind. The Three Trainings or Practices guide Buddhist's behaviors.

The Four Noble Truths are Dukkha (suffering exists), Samudaya (the causes of suffering), Nirodha (the end of suffering), and Magga (following the Eightfold Path). It says in "The First Sermon," "This, monks, is the Noble Truth of Suffering: birth is suffering; aging is suffering; illness is suffering; death is suffering; presence of objects we hate is suffering; separation from objects we love is suffering; not to obtain what we desire is suffering. In short, the Five Components of Existence are suffering."

The Eightfold Path is divided into three groups: Panna (wisdom), Sila (morality), and Samadhi (meditation and concentration). Panna tells Buddhists to follow the Four Noble Truths, and to have the right thinking and to follow the right path. Sila tells Buddhists to have the right speech, to follow the Five Precepts, and to have the right livelihood. Samadhi tells Buddhists to have the right effort, to have the right mindfulness, and to have the right concentration.

The Five Precepts are similar to the Ten Commandments. The Five Precepts tell Buddhists to not kill, steal, or lie. They are rules to live by, and they guide Buddhists' behaviors.

Daily life in the Tang Dynasty was affected by Buddhism. Buddhist monasteries were involved in education, shelter, and holidays. Monasteries ran schools for children and gave travelers places to rest. Buddhist holidays and festivals became popular. Monasteries also gave people places to have social gatherings, and serfs worked on the land of monasteries.

The main ideologies of the Tang Dynasty were Confucianism and Taoism. In China, Confucianism was popular before Buddhism. Confucianism guided rulers in governing their people. Confucianism's impact on Chinese culture was more significant than Buddhism's impact, but Confucianism was more of a way of life than a religion.

The major values and practices of Confucianism are about being fair and peaceful. One of the main beliefs is that all people should behave appropriately based on their role in society. People must respect people who are above them, and they must set a good example for people with less authority. Respecting elders is very important in Confucianism. Another important value is about the five basic relationships. There are relationships between rulers and subjects, husbands and wives, parents and children, siblings, and friends. These relationships are very important in Confucianism. Another important value of Confucianism is similar to the Golden Rule: people should not do anything to anyone else that they would not want done to themselves.

Statue of Confucius

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Confucius_Statue_at_the_Confucius_Temple.jpg

Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, wrote a book called The Analects that was filled with his sayings. In The Analects, Confucius said, "A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful."

Confucianism affected daily life during the Tang Dynasty because most people followed its teachings and its core values. People believed that they should be the best person that they can be, and they tried to behave well and to act based on their roles in their communities. Confucianism affected the way that people acted.

Taoism was another major ideology in the Tang Dynasty. Laozi, the founder of Taoism, had the same last name as the rulers of the Tang Dynasty - Li. The emperors believed that Laozi was one of their ancestors, so they supported Taoism. Taoist temples and schools were built, and Taoism thrived.

The main values and practices of Taoism are based on the Tao ("the Way"). The Tao was the force that was connected to everything in the universe. Taoists believed that the Tao controlled everything, and people who followed the Tao had peace and lived in harmony with nature. Taoists also believe that everything needs balance, like the yin and yang symbol, which represents opposites in nature. Laozi, the founder of Taoism, wrote the Tao Te Ching, in which it says, "Being and non-being create each other. Difficult and easy support each other. Long and short define each other. High and low depend on each other. Before and after follow each other." This is similar to the yin and yang symbol. Taoists live simple, natural lives, and they believe that quiet meditation is very important.

Yin-Yang Symbol
http://mor.phe.us/writings/Yin-Yang.jpg

Taoism affected everyday life in the Tang Dynasty because everything in Taoist life had to be balanced and in harmony with nature. Taoists meditate often and accept anything that happens. They do not like to fight. Taoist rulers believed that rules and laws got in the way of harmony with nature and following the Tao. They ruled by leaving every thing alone (action through in-action).

The rulers during the Tang Dynasty supported the emergence of religion in China. Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism were the main religions and ideologies of the Tang Dynasty.

Map of the Tang Dynasty

Map of the Tang Dynasty

http://www.inventchina.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/China-Tang-Dynasty-Map.jpg

When the Tang Dynasty was the strongest, its territory included land in the eastern part of China and Turkestan. The Tang Dynasty had six capital cities, and the main capital, Chang'an, was a very large city located near the center of the empire. Zhongdu, another capital, was located near present-day Yongji and Shanxi. The eastern capital was called Dongdu and the western capital was called Xidu. The northern capital was called Nandu and the northern capital was called Beidu. An important river in the Tang Dynasty was the Yellow River. The region surrounding the Yellow River was the center of politics, economy, and culture for the Tang Dynasty. The area around this river was also very advanced in science and technology. The Yellow River had a large impact on ancient China because it was the center of activity in the Tang Dynasty.

Emperor Taizong's Rule

Emperor Taizong's Rule
Emily Pollock, Blogger

Emperor Taizong is one of the most important rulers of the Tang Dynasty. He is one of the founders of the Tang Dynasty. He is helping his father, Li Yuan, to begin planning the Tang Dynasty as the Sui Dynasty becomes weaker. Emperor Taizong is "a founding father of the Tang Dynasty" ("Li Shimin"). Emperor Taizong has a significant impact on the Tang Dynasty because he is helping to start it. He and his father are creating its foundation. Emperor Taizong's planning before the end of the Sui Dynasty will make the time period of the Tang's rule more successful. China becomes much stronger during the Tang Dynasty because it has such a strong foundation.

Emperor Taizong's bravery makes him an important ruler. In the year 615 C.E., Emperor Yang from the Sui Dynasty is captured by the Tujue army. Emperor Taizong, who is 16 years old, volunteers to lead the mission to rescue him. Emperor Taizong also fights in the military against his enemies, which helps to increase the Tang's territory. He "allowed broad expansion of Tang territory" ("Li Shimin"). Emperor Taizong is important because he shows courage and sets a good example for his people. He also gives the Tang Dynasty more power and more territory. He is very brave in order to protect his people and to give the Tang Dynasty more power.

Emperor Taizong sets a good example for everyone else by being modest and accepting criticism. An official named Wei Zheng brought 200 mistakes that he had made to his attention, and all of them were corrected. "Emperor Taizong was very modest and willing to accept the remonstrating suggestions put forward by officials" ("Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty"). He is a significant ruler because he fixes his mistakes and he sets a good example for his people by being modest. He shows people that they should correct their mistakes. Emperor Taizong is an important ruler of the Tang Dynasty because he helps to found the Tang Dynasty, he is very brave and powerful, and he accepts criticism.

An Lushan's Rebellion

An Lushan's Rebellion
Emily Pollock, Blogger

In 752 C.E., An Lushan was the strongest general in the Tang Dynasty's empire. After Minister Li Linfu's death, An Lushan and Yang Guozhong fought over who would take over as the new ruler. Yang Guozhong had more supporters in court, but An Lushan had more military power. Near the end of the year in 755 C.E., An Lushan brought his army to Luoyang, the eastern capital of the Tang Dynasty's empire. The rebels captured Luoyang in less than a month, and in 756 C.E., An Lushan made himself the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Tang forces defended the area between the Yellow River and Shaanxi province, and they prevented An Lushan's forces from moving forward.

Yang Guozhong did not trust Ge Shuhan, the general who was in charge of protecting Chang'an, the Tang Dynasty's main capital. Yang Guozhong made Ge Shuhan move towards the east to leave Chang'an undefended, because Yang Guozhong was trying to protect himself. Yang Guozhong went westward to Mawei, a small village that was to the west of Chang'an, where the guard killed Yang Guozhong and Yang Guifei, one of the emperor's favorite people.

An Lushan's forces moved into Chang'an, but An Lushan himself stayed in Luoyang because he was very sick and almost blind. An Lushan was killed at the beginning of the year 757 C.E. by a slave, his oldest son (An Qingxu), and some other people.

The rebellion went on, led by first An Qingxu, then a man named Shi Siming, then Shi Chaoyi (Shi Siming's son). In the year 763 C.E., the rebellion ended because of the death of Shi Chaoyi. All of the generals from the rebellion who survived had to surrender to the Tang Dynasty, but they were allowed to keep and rule the areas that they possessed. The other parts of China became ruled by other generals. An Lushan's rebellion lasted for a total of eight years, and it destroyed the center of the Tang Dynasty's control. After the rebellion, China's strength slowly decreased for about 150 years.