Reading Guide for Topic 4

The readings for topic 4 are from the sourcebook. There aren't specific textbook readings for Topic 4. Make sure though you have done the readings for Topic 3!

I think I asked too many questions in the old reading guides so I am asking fewer, more general questions now. I hope this approach helps:


Introduction
What different things began to connect Asia?
How did India and China react differently to contact?

China Reaches Outwards
Why is China interested in the outside world?
From reading these sources, what kind of information do the Chinese authors think is worth recording?

Asia and the World
In this section, what are the different ways they react to meeting people who are from different cultures? What are some of the obstacles that stand in the way of different cultures interacting with each other?

Traveling
What are some of the difficulties people faced when traveling?

Buddhism and the Ancient World
How do these sources describe the spread of Buddhism? What were some of the difficulties Buddhism faced as it left China and how did people seek to overcome these difficulties?