 years before Gutenberg’s press.  (1, 202-203)

Buddhism and printing in China 
The period following the collapse of the Han (220 AD) is known as (one of the many) “Dark Ages” and was typified by political strife, wars, and social upheaval.  Despite the turmoil of that period, learning and culture continued to grow. Among the intellectual elite and rulership, Confucianism continued to be the dominant philosophy. Taoism and Buddhism emerged as religions and began to flourish.

Buddhism, a populist religion, had been introduced to China at the beginning of the Christian Era and quickly became a religion sought after in times of strife by the masses where it was propagated. The first translation of a Buddhist text appeared in China in the 2nd century AD and by the 3rd century the volume of translations had increased a great deal.  Buddhism’s influence on literature and scholarship grew in relation to the conversion of the elite and ruler ship.  (17)

During the Sui Dynasty (581-618 AD), Buddhism enjoyed an explosion in the production of printed texts.  This is partly due to the reunification of the empire and partly because Emperor Wen decreed that all Buddhist texts then in print were to be copied and placed in temple libraries in all the major cities.  Another factor that influenced this increase in printing was the creation of a bureau in 606 AD for the translation of Buddhist texts  at the behest of Emperor Yang.  To illustrate this diffusion of Buddhist texts, the History of the Sui Dynasty’s bibliography lists 1950 Buddhist titles as compared to 377 Taoist titles.

Buddhism was, therefore, probably the most important factor in the development of printing. The demand for Buddhist texts was so great that it encouraged accelerated levels of printing for the following century. Despite the increased demand for Buddhist literature, the production of books by hand did not end.  Printing only increased the number of copies of books, thus facilitating the ease and degree of communication.  (18, 205)

As Confucianism was the major competing native belief set among the elite, the reason that Buddhist texts enjoyed such widespread printing needs explanation.

Mair suggests that perhaps there is something inherent in Buddhism that is conducive to its being written in what he calls “vernacular Sinitic” as opposed to the “literary Sinit
years before Gutenberg ’s press.   (1, 202 - 203) 

 Buddhism and printing in China 
 The period follow the flop of the Han (220 AD) is known as (one of the many) “ Dark Ages ” and was typified by political strife, war, and social upheaval.   Despite the turmoil of that menstruation, eruditeness and culture continued to grow. Among the intellectual elite and rulership, Confucianism continued to be the prevailing philosophy. Taoism and Buddhism emerged as religions and began to brandish. 

 Buddhism, a populist religion, had been introduced to China at the beginning of the Christian Era and quickly became a religion sought after in times of discord by the masses where it was propagated. The first transformation of a Buddhist text appeared in China in the 2nd century AD and by the 3rd hundred the volume of translation had increased a great deal.   Buddhism ’s influence on literature and eruditeness grew in relation to the conversion of the elite and ruler ship.   (17) 

 During the Sui Dynasty (581 - 618 AD), Buddhism enjoyed an explosion in the product of printed texts.   This is partly due to the reunification of the empire and partly because Emperor Wen decreed that all Buddhist texts then in print were to be copy and placed in temple library in all the major city.   Another factor that influenced this increase in printing was the creation of a bureau in 606 AD for the translation of Buddhist textbook   at the behest of Emperor Yang.   To illustrate this diffusion of Buddhist texts, the History of the Sui Dynasty ’s bibliography lists 1950 Buddhist titles as compared to 377 Taoist title. 

 Buddhism was, therefore, probably the most important factor in the development of impression. The requirement for Buddhist texts was so great that it encouraged accelerated level of printing for the following century. Despite the increased requirement for Buddhist literature, the production of books by hand did not end.   Printing entirely increased the phone number of copies of books, therefore facilitating the ease and degree of communication.   (18, 205) 

 As Confucianism was the major competing native impression set among the elite, the reason that Buddhist textbook enjoyed such widespread impression needs explanation. 

 Mair suggests that perhaps there is something inherent in Buddhism that is conducive to its being written in what he calls “ vernacular Sinitic ” as opposed to the “ literary Sinit
 yewrs before Gutenberg’s prtss.  (1, 202-203)

Buddhism anb printmng in Dhina 
Thd period following the colla'se if tht Han (220 AD) is known xs (one of the mant) “Dack Ages” and was vgpified by pomltican strife, wars, akd social u[heaval.  Despide tke turmoil of that period, learning agd cultirf continued to groe. Amohg the intellectual elite and ruledship, Cmnfucianism cpntinued to be the dominanh phllosophy. Taoism anf Buddhism gjerdwd as religiuns and began to flourjsh.

Buddhism, a populist religion, had yeen introdoewd hm China at vhe bedinning of tmv Chrisdian Ers and quickly necamx a eeligion sought after in times of strifg by the mdsaes where it was pripagajed. Tve fkest trznxlztion lf e Buddhist fext appearwd in China in the 2md brntury AD ans by tre 3rd century the volume of translations vad increased a great deal.  Buddhism’s influence on literwture and scholarship grew in relation to the coneersikv oy the doihe and ruler ship.  (17)

During the Sui Dynasty (581-618 AD), Gucdmism enjoyed an cxplosion in the ptofuvjion of printea texts.  Fhis is partly due to the reunufication of yhe empire and partly becauwe Emperor Wvn dwcreed that all Bubdhist texts them in lrint were to be copied and placed in hemple ligfaries in all thd msjmr cities.  Another factor ehat inflnenceb this ivcresse in printing aas tma creation of a bugeau nn 606 AG for the hranslation of Buddhist texts  ev the behest pf Emieror Yany.  To lllustrate this diffusion of Yuddhist textr, the Histkry of vhe Sui Dynafty’s bibliogrdkhy lists 1950 Buvdhist tieles as xomparea to 377 Taoist tiyles.

Buddhpsi waw, therefore, probabky jhs most importanc dactor in the drveuopiejt os printing. Tha deoana for Cuddhisu tcxtr wax so great that it etcoudaged accelerated keyels of ptinting fjr the followong century. Despitt the mncreared drmagd for Buddhist literature, the productiln jf books by rand did not end.  Printing only increased the number of copies of books, jhus facilitating the tase and degrxe of sommunicadion.  (18, 205)

As Confucianiwm was the major gompeting native belier set dmong the elite, the reason that Buddhist texts enjoyed such widespread printint needs explanatioh.

Mait sugcefcs that peria's there is sometning inherent in Buddhism that ms conduciee to its being written in whay fe calls “vernxcular Sinitic” as opposes to the “literary Sinit
years before Gutenberg’s press. (1, 202-203) Buddhism in The period the collapse of known (one of the “Dark Ages” and typified by political strife, wars, and upheaval. Despite the turmoil of that period, learning and culture continued to grow. the intellectual elite and rulership, Confucianism continued to be the dominant philosophy. Taoism Buddhism as and to flourish. Buddhism, a populist religion, had been introduced to China at the beginning of the Era and quickly became a religion sought after times of strife by masses where it was propagated. first of a text in in the 2nd AD and by the 3rd century the volume of translations had increased a great deal. Buddhism’s influence literature and in relation the of elite and ruler During the Sui Dynasty (581-618 AD), explosion in the production of printed texts. This partly due the reunification of the empire and because Emperor Wen decreed that all Buddhist texts in print were to be copied and placed in temple libraries in all the major factor that influenced this in printing was creation a in AD for translation of Buddhist texts at the behest of Emperor Yang. To this diffusion of Buddhist texts, the History of the Sui lists Buddhist titles as to 377 Taoist titles. was, probably the most important the of for texts so great that it accelerated levels of printing for following century. Despite the the production of books by hand did not Printing only increased the number of copies books, thus facilitating the ease and degree of communication. (18, 205) As was the native belief set among the elite, the reason Buddhist texts enjoyed such printing needs explanation. Mair suggests that perhaps there is inherent Buddhism that conducive to its written in what calls “vernacular Sinitic” to the Sinit
 years before Gutenberg’s presS.  (1, 202-203)

Buddhism aNd priNtiNg iN CHina 
the pEriod following THe coLlapse of the Han (220 AD) is knowN as (onE oF The mANy) “dark AGes” and wAS tYPIfiEd By PolItICaL striFe, wArs, and sOcial upheaVal.  deSpite the turmOIl Of that periOd, lEarning and cuLtuRe contInUed TO grow. amoNg the IntellECtual eLite and ruLeRShip, CoNFucianiSM CoNtinUed to be the dominanT PhILosophy. Taoism aNd BuddHiSM eMERgeD as Religions aNd Began TO flouriSH.

BUDDHisM, A populist reliGion, had been INtrOduced To chiNA at the BeginNiNG of The ChristiaN Era And quicklY becamE A religiON sought After iN tiMes Of stRIfE bY thE mASseS WhEre IT waS propagaTeD. THe firSt trANSLAtioN of A BudDhist Text appeared iN ChIna iN The 2Nd cenTury Ad and By The 3rd CenturY the vOlUme of translatioNs haD increaseD a gReAt dEaL.  BuddHIsm’s inFluEncE on liteRature aND scHoLARShIp grew in relation to ThE COnVersion oF the elITe AnD Ruler shiP.  (17)

DUriNg thE sUi DynAsty (581-618 ad), BUddhism eNjoyed AN eXpLosion iN tHe prodUcTioN of PrintED texTs.  This Is partly Due to THe reunificatioN Of the empire anD PaRTLy BEcauSe EMperor Wen deCreeD That All BUDdHisT Texts Then iN pRInT Were to be copied and plAcEd in teMple lIbraries in all The major ciTIES.  Another FactOR tHAt influenced thIs incRease in priNTing was tHe creAtion of a Bureau in 606 Ad FOr the traNslAtiOn oF BuDDHiSt texts  at the bEHEst oF EMperor YAng.  to illusTraTe tHis DifFuSion of BudDhist texTs, ThE HIsTorY of thE sui DynasTy’S biBlIogRaphy LIsts 1950 BuDdhisT titLeS aS ComPared to 377 tAoIST titLeS.

BUddhIsm WaS, therEforE, ProBably thE most impoRtaNT facToR iN the devElopment of priNtIng. The demaNd For buddhiST Texts was So great that it encouraged ACceleraTed LevelS of pRinting foR thE folloWinG CenturY. DespiTe the InCreASEd demAND fOr BUdDhist literATUre, The prOdUctiOn of booKs by hand did not end.  PRIntIng only increaSed The nUMBeR of COpIEs oF bOOks, THUs facilitating tHe ease and dEgREe Of communicATioN.  (18, 205)

AS ConfucIanism wAs the MAjor comPeting natIve belief SeT amoNG The Elite, the reAson that buddhist tEXts enJOyEd sucH wiDespreAd PriNting Needs eXPlaNatioN.

Mair sUgGests tHat peRhAps there Is something inherent in BuDdhism That iS coNducive to Its BEinG written iN whaT he calls “veRnaCulAr SinItiC” As oppOsed TO tHe “lITerarY SinIT
 years before Gutenberg’spress.  (1 , 202 -20 3)
B uddh ismand printing i n  Chi na 
The period followi ng th ec olla p se  of t he Han( 22 0 AD)  i skno wn as  (one  of  the ma ny) “DarkAge s”  and was typ i fi ed by poli tic al strife, w ars , andso cia l  uphe ava l.  D espite the tu rmoil ofth a t peri o d, lear n i ng  and  culture continue d  t o  grow. Among t he int el l ec t u aleli te and rul er ship, Confuci a ni s m con t inued to be t he dominant phi losoph y.  Ta o ism an d Bud dh i smemerged asreli gions and  began to flou r ish.

B uddhis m,a p opul i st  r eli gi o n,h ad  be e n i ntroduce dto  Chin a at t h e  beg inn ingof th e Christian E raandq uic kly b ecame  a r el igion  sough t aft er  in times of st rife  by the m ass es  wh er e itw as pro pag ate d. Thefirst t r ans la t i o nof a Buddhist text  a p p ea red in C hina i n  t he 2nd cent ur y A D an d by th e 3r d  c entury t he vol u me  o f trans la tionsha d i ncr eased a gr eat de al.  Bud dhism ’ s influence on literature an d  s c h ol a rshi p g rew in rela tion to t he c o nv ers i on of  theel i te and ruler ship.  (1 7) 

Duri ng th e Sui Dynasty  (581-618A D ) , Buddhi sm e n jo y ed an explosio n inthe produc t ion of p rinte d texts.   This is p artly du e t o t hereu n i fi cation of the e mpir eand par tly  becaus e E mpe ror  We ndecreed t hat allBu dd hi st  te xts t h en in pr in t w er e t o bec opiedand p lace din tem ple lib r ar i e s in  a ll  the  ma jo r cit ies.  An other f actor tha t i n flue nc ed  this i ncrease in pr in ting was t he  cr eation o f a bure au in 606 AD for the tr a nslatio n o f Bud dhis t texts atthe be hes t  of Em perorYang.  Toi l lustr a t ethi sdiffusiono f  Bu ddhis ttext s, theHistory of the Sui Dyn asty’s biblio gra phyl i st s 1 9 50 Bud dh i stt i tles as compare d to 377 T ao i st  titles.
B udd hi sm was,  theref ore,p robably  the most  importan tfact o r  in  the devel opment o f printin g . The de mandfor  Buddh is t t extswas so gre at th at iten courag ed ac ce leratedlevels of printing forthe fo llowi ngcentury.Des p ite  the incr ease d demand f orBud dhist  li t eratu re,t he  pr o ducti on o f  books by ha ndd i dnot end.  P r i n tin g onl y i n crease d th e number of copie s  of books, thu s fa c i lit ati n g th eease and degre e o fc o mmunicat io n.  (18, 20 5)

As C on f ucian ism wa s themajor c o m pe t ing na tive  be lief setamo ng the eli te ,t he rea sonth at Bud dhistt exts e njoyed such wide sprea d print i ngneeds  e xplanat i on.
Mair sugg ests that p erhaps  the re is  someth in g inhe ren tin Buddhis m  that iscondu cive to  i ts b ein g writ teni n  what  heca lls  “vernacu l a rS in it i c”as o ppose dto t he “liter a ry Sinit 
 years_before Gutenberg’s_press.  (1, 202-203)

Buddhism_and printing_in_China 
The_period_following the collapse_of the Han_(220 AD) is known_as (one of_the_many) “Dark Ages” and was typified by political strife, wars, and social upheaval. _Despite_the turmoil_of_that_period, learning and culture continued_to grow. Among the intellectual_elite and_rulership, Confucianism continued to be the dominant philosophy._Taoism_and Buddhism emerged_as religions and began to flourish.

Buddhism, a populist religion,_had been introduced to China at_the beginning of_the_Christian_Era and quickly became_a religion sought after in times_of strife by the masses where_it was propagated. The first translation of_a Buddhist text appeared in China_in the 2nd century AD_and by_the 3rd century the volume_of translations had_increased a_great deal. _Buddhism’s influence on literature and scholarship_grew in relation_to the conversion of the elite_and_ruler ship. _(17)

During_the_Sui Dynasty_(581-618 AD), Buddhism_enjoyed_an explosion_in_the production of printed texts. _This_is partly due to the reunification of_the empire and partly_because_Emperor Wen decreed that_all Buddhist texts then in_print were to be copied and_placed in_temple libraries_in all the major cities.  Another factor that influenced this_increase in printing was the creation_of a bureau in_606 AD_for_the translation of_Buddhist_texts _at the behest of Emperor Yang. _To illustrate_this diffusion of Buddhist texts, the_History of the Sui_Dynasty’s_bibliography lists 1950 Buddhist titles as_compared to 377 Taoist titles.

Buddhism was,_therefore, probably the most important_factor_in_the development of printing. The_demand for Buddhist texts was so_great that it_encouraged accelerated levels of printing for the_following_century. Despite the increased demand for_Buddhist_literature, the production of books by_hand_did_not end.  Printing only_increased the number of copies of_books, thus facilitating the ease and degree of communication._ (18, 205)

As_Confucianism was the major competing_native_belief_set among the elite, the reason that Buddhist texts enjoyed_such widespread_printing needs explanation.

Mair_suggests that perhaps there is something inherent in Buddhism that_is conducive to its being written in_what he calls “vernacular Sinitic” as opposed to the “literary Sinit