Spread of Buddhism

     
     The history of Buddhism in the steppes is fragmented, but it leaked into Hun culture in the 2nd century BC. Conversion to early stages of Buddhism started with the Xiongnu, but other nomadic lives were greatly affected by Buddhism. One nomadic tribe in the steppes converted to Buddhism and stopped its barbaric and rough soldierly qualities. They eventually lost their idea and dispersed into the cultures of their civilized neighbors.
     China was at a chaotic stage at the end of the Han dynasty, and the people were very open to the arrival of a new religion. Kumarajiva was a Buddhist from Central Asia who created the best translation bureau China had ever seen, spreading the religion throughout China. He translated more than 90 works into Chinese, causing more people to convert to Buddhism. Great monasteries and temples were built, and the translation of texts was worked on harder than ever. Buddhism in China reached its climax in the Sui and Tang dynasties. Buddhism left a lasting impact on Central Asian art. There was a fusion between eastern and western cultures, and the Buddha image was developed. It went through changes in style, originating with a Greek flair and altering into an Indian fashion.
     After the collapse of the Tang dynasty, Buddhists came under persecution due to the influence of Arabian invaders from the west, with many temples being destroyed, and monks and nuns being defrocked. Central Asia started converting to Islam, and Buddhism's statues and wall paintings were turned to ruin. Temples and stupas were abandoned, and they became buried under the sand. Soon, all of the Central Asian basin had been converted to Islam. People are such fickle things.