Despite its distancing from worldly politics Buddhism owed its

successful expansion primarily to political factors. Do you agree?

I agree with this statement
As in Christendom Buddhist Rulers practised remarkable intellectual
contortions to justify the imposition by vilience of a doctrine of peace ad
love 1 Pearson Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, 2007), chapter 9 274 * it
- Asoka was the king of peshaular and enforced Buddhism on own subjects
- King Vattagmai introduced Buddhism to Burma. He did this by waging a
war on neighbouring mon kingdom to gain posssestion of holy scriptures2
Pearson Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, 2007), chapter 9 ,274
- * however there were other reasons for the spread of religions ( in
particular Christianity and Buddhism ). For example trade routes played a
key role Pearson Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, 2007), chapter 9 274.
In particular the Silk Roads.
However the Silk Roads encountered completion : a new religion emerged
Manichaenaism> Christianity, Islam and Buddhism persecuted it.
Christianity eventually replaced it.
-

Buddhist missionaries ( like Christians) showed partiuality towards

royals and imperial disciples 3 Pearson Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle
River, 2007), chapter 9 , 279
Buddhims couldnt monopolize Chinese imperial court 4 Pearson
Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, 2007), chapter 9, 280
Measure of Buddhims success, is until Westernization . Only
foreign movement to catch on in China. This allowed enormous
network of monastries ( spread of)
KOREA: Chinese refuges introduce Buddhism in Koguyo
Kings of Silla and Paekche convert to Buddhism
The first image of Budha arrives in Japan
The life of Prince Shotoku. He was the first royal patron of
Buddhism

1F. Fernandez Armesto, The world: a history (Pearson Prentice-Hall, Upper

Saddle River, 2007), chapter 9 (The rise of world religions: Christianty,

Islam and Buddhism)
2 Ibid
3 Ibid
4 Ibid

Fast growth/expansion of Buddhims in Japan (under the royal

patronage)