Sogdiana. blog entry #5

Who were the Sogdians ? What impact have they made on the Silk Road? And how did neighboring countries influenced those people?

Sogdiana was located between Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers in modern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Even though Samarkand  was considered the capital, Sogdiana was actually much larger, defined by the areas where Sogdian language was spoken. The language itself was Eastern Iranian and was highly popular along the Silk Road.

Sogdians were known as a great merchants and traders along the Silk Road. The Chinese even told anecdotes about Sogdians’ merchant race.

Sogdians didn’t have a single polity and were controlled by more powerful rulers from Hephthalites to Turks; which didn’t stop them from thriving. Sogdiana was perfectly located in a heart of the Silk Road with access to west (Sassanian Empire); north (Russian steppes);south( India and Afghanistan) and east(China). Sogdian rulers, whether Hephthalites or Turks  supported their  mercantile activities and even offer a protection to caravans(which also helped Buddhist monks to travel safely along those caravans  ).

In terms of religion Sogdiana  was mainly influenced by Iran , which religion at that time was Zoroastrianism. Therefore,  Sogdians worshiped Zoroastrian gods , but also several other deities. Goddess Nana (influence of Hindu); small communities of Christianity and Buddhism also existed.

Even though highly influenced by others, Sogdians still had their own culture and played a major role in developing of Silk Road relationships. They were know for  their silk textiles, language abilities(many Sogdians used to be translators), and artisans (Sogdian dancers were very popular with Chinese).

Being born in Uzbekistan, Tashkent I’ve traveled to Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and other regions. One striking  thing that I have noticed that the people are very proud of their culture and the funny thing that they are in some way still the same as they were many centuries ago. When you get of  the station people are running to you trying to sell you things from breads and sweets to cars and whatever.

They  looooveeee to bargain and  I think it became their culture.

Blog entry #4 Pilgrim

Diplomatic, cultural and religious relationships between China and India are getting limited attention by some scholars. However, if we do not look closely many important facts from developing of  these countries can be missed. For example, China in particular played a great role in developing political and military affiliation of Sino-Indian contacts. In addition, it is important to notice that motives of individuals were  the main force of developing of such relations. Sometimes it is hard to apprehend that one can make the difference in the world , but articles by S.H. Wriggins and Tansen Sen can prove   that is one wrong.

Xuanzang - a brave young Buddhist pilgrim who travelLed a great distance to find out the “true” Buddhism. His motives were so pure, it seems that nothing could convince him otherwise or stop him from accomplishing his mission. His high intelligence and determinism from the young age helped him along the way and by the end of his journey he became a legend and a hero in his home country. Interestingly to notice that at first he had to escape by night to start his quest for scriptures, but by the end emperor Tang himself was waiting for his arrival. Even though Xuanzang declined many offerings by emperor Taizong (and many other rulers) due to his religious beliefes (Beliefs у тебя вроде правильно,но это слово исключение), by doing so he perhaps in some way converted Taizong from Confucianism to Buddhism by the end of his life. Where he turned to A Brahman expert for producing life-prolonging drugs.

Xuanzang travelLed 10.000 miles from Chang’an China as far as Samarkand.He  has  met many rulers on his way that were all interested in Buddhism and knew  about Xuanzang quest. The king of Turfan, for example, didn’t even want him to leave  Instead,he wanted him to  become a spiritual preceptor for his kingdom. After a month of convincing Xuanzang, he let him go and gave him letters for other kings that he would meet on his way in addition to clothes, gold, silver, horses and servants. Which would make all the rulers  of the Western Turks at his service.

On his way to ancient India, Xuanzang meets with King of Kucha ,whom hi describes as a man of a weak intellect. But the country is very cultured  with population of Indo-European people ,who are also the followers of Buddhism.

Xuanzang crosses the Tian Shan mountains and meets the Great Khan of Western Turks.Even though the people of the region were not Buddhist followers , they knew  a little about Buddhism they asked Xuanzang to stay and expound the Buddhism doctrine, tellings of Xuanzang left Khan highly impressed. Once again he tried to stop him from his mission, but Xuanzang continued his journey for “true” Buddhism.

That all raises many questions such:Can one make a difference? What was important to people of that time? Everyone  had their own motives , which contributed to the development of Buddhism in Asia in the 7th century.