Abstract This paper explains that the study of Buddhism is crucial to the understanding of Chinese history because, for almost two thousand years, Buddhism has influenced Chinese culture, politics, philosophy and literature. The author points out that the spread of Buddhism was unique for China for the reason that, when it was introduced, China was already a very old civilization with very sacred traditions and was felt by the population to be the only truly civilized society in the world. The paper relates that the most important reason for the success of Buddhism in China is Buddhism's willingness to recognize and take in certain elements of preexisting religions.
From the Paper "It is hard to tell exactly how Buddhism made its way into China, but it is assumed though, that this first contact was with Buddhist icons worshiped by Central Asians coming into China. Back then, the Chinese accepted the Buddha into their lives as a religious figure because of their own mythical Yellow Emperor and the philosopher Loazi, who was believed to have reached the Buddhist level of immortality. However, the turning point for Chinese Buddhism was when the original texts started being translated into Chinese."
How Jonathan Spence details the limiting effect of China's past upon present China. Spence concludes that China is engaged in a quest for stability and modernity.
1,000 words (approx. 4 pages), 1 source, 1999, $ 35.95
From the Paper "That the history of China, though noteworthy and varied throughout the centuries, remains unknown to most Westerners, especially relative to American and European history, reflects the Chinese experience of uniqueness and isolation from the West. No country remains unblighted by turmoil and tragedy, and to that extent, the West and China are similar. However, China's history is particularly marked by tragedy and turmoil, and consequently, by a quest for stability. "
A look at the class and gender differences presented in 2 Japanese novels: "As I Cross A Bridge of Dreams" by Lady Sarashina and "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu.
1,432 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 4 sources, 2001, $ 47.95
Abstract This paper examines class differences as presented in Japanese Literature. The paper looks at "As I Cross A Bridge of Dreams" by Lady Sarashina and "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu. Several questions are raised in the paper, to examine the not only class differences but also gender differences. Are the upper-class male characters willing to risk their careers for the women they meet? What are the social codes and regulations, and what happens to these men and women who assault the social code and pursue forbidden relationships? Are the consequences enforced so the men suffer in their political careers? Are the women ultimately abandoned and destroyed? These questions are all brought up in the context of class and gender issues to illustrate that the two authors, from the same culture and heritage, use their different destinies and experiences to portray different opinions.
Abstract This study takes the literary approach in unraveling the Maguindanaon character and sees what their literature says about them.
From the Paper "In Mindanao, southern part of the Philippines, and particularly in the Province of Maguindanao, a tribe known as the Maguindanaon has since been stereotyped by the mainstream population as being uncivilized, violent, war-like and with criminal tendencies. However, the educated members of the Maguindanaons resisted such characterization of their people and instead argued that like their majority brothers they too possess positive characteristics."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the socio-political structures in China under the Ming Dynasty and the People's Republic of China. In doing so, the author explores the differences between Confucius's philosophies and Mao's with its roots in Soviet Communism. A good part of the paper is devoted toward a discussion of Zhu Yuanzhang's totalitarian rule.
From the Paper "In 1911 AD, a revolution in China overthrew the Manchu rulers and ended the Qing Dynasty. Over the next forty years China was ruled by various warlords, occupied by the Japanese, and eventually liberated by the nationalist forces of Chang Kai Shek, known as the Guomindang. However, before China could be restored to order, the Red Army of the Chinese Communist party, operating in small guerilla units, took first the North and then the South of China, forcing Chang and the remnants of his forces to flee to Taiwan. On October 1st 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the people's republic of China."
Abstract A look at Malay political culture from the perspectives of Anthony Milner. The author investigates the Malay political experiences, traditions and customs and analyzes these from the Milner's point of view that political relationships in Malay are based on leadership and support.
From the Paper "Anthony Milner's central point in his examination of kerajaan is that the key to understanding political motivation must involve an understanding of differing political experience. European observers often saw political relationships in Malay societies as being based on accumulation and distribution of wealth, whereas to Milner the process had a deeper political motivation; to gain supporters."
Tags: politics, tradition, wealth, honor, motivation, leadership, support
Abstract The primary focus of this essay is to note the changes taking place within the Japanese decision-making process. The author argues that Japan's foreign policy is no longer hostage to domestic and economic issues.
From the Paper "The geopolitical situation in Northeast Asia is undergoing tremendous change, politically, economically, and militarily. The major debates underway today concern the rise of China, the impending collapse of North Korea, the economic dilemmas of Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia, and the Sino-Russian ?strategic partnership.? One emerging issue, which has drawn little attention, however, is the evolving rapprochement between Japan and the former Soviet Union. There are clear signs that the two nations are ready to move past the differences, which have divided them for over half a century."
Abstract This paper presents a study of the effects of China's controversial Strategic Demographic Initiative on women, both in the short term and the long term. Particular attention is paid to the one-child policy and to urban Chinese women. Prospects for development are considered as well.
From the Paper " The argument over the existence of overpopulation has been spreading since Thomas Malthus lifted quill from paper after finishing Essay on the Principle of Population. Over the last fifty years, international population analysis has been highly concentrated on the South, where extreme poverty creates concern over population size. China's aggressive population control measures have made it the darling of neo-Malthusian theorists and the enemy of several human rights proponents, including feminist organizations. Accounts of coercive measures employed to attain population quotas, as well as surveys and interviews, make it evident that Chinese policy"in particular the one-child requirement"has not yet gained widespread acceptance by women. The impact of the policy has been both positive and negative for Chinese women but, while it provides effective conditions for socialist development, it requires a greater process of democratization in order to reflect the needs of women in the family."
Tags: coersion, contraceptives, development, education, human, overpopulation, rights
Abstract This paper details the cultural struggle of the Chinese-American daughters in Gish Jen's Mona in the "Promised Land" and Amy Tan's "Joy Luck Club" to accept and assimilate American culture in tandem with the lessons of their immigrant parents.
From the Paper "The lives of the characters within the novels Mona in the Promised Land by Gish Jen and The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan are highly influenced by their parents and their generation's expectations of children. However the novels? girl characters grow up to defy the traditional roles defined by their parents? country of origin. China of the 1920s, the time of the girls? parents, was a place of caste systems- clear-cut roles, and absolute obedience to one's defined position. If a person was female, the role also required obedience to the male head of household- whether it was a father, husband, grandfather, or uncle. The defiance of this precept meant ultimate dishonor to yourself and your family. The best example comes from The Joy Luck Club's mother of An-Mei Hsu, who had gone against her family's wishes and later returned home: ?Now everyone was standing up and shouting, and I heard my mother's voice crying, ?An-mei! An-mei!? Above this noise, Popo's shrill voice spoke."
Abstract The author of this paper discusses the significance of the battle at Dien Bien Phu as the place where the first Vietnamese revolutionaries found their power and became a force to be reckoned with and argues that had the United States learned from this battle and adopted the successful tactics in this terrain and situation, it might have had a better chance of winning its own conflict in Vietnam.
From the Paper "The end of World War II brought vast political changes throughout Asia. In previously colonial areas, nationalists used the opportunity present in the Japanese surrender and the temporary weakness of European powers to demand self-determination. The August Revolution brought the Vietminh to power in Vietnam, and the clash between French and Vietminh was inevitable, as neither side was willing to concede sovereignty to the other. A few months after the close of World War II, France sought to re-establish its discredited and unpopular colonial rule in Indochina. Encouraged by words of support from President Truman, the French committed almost a million military men to their effort."
Tags: battle, war, chinese, american, fight, conquer, territory
Abstract This paper supports Morris-Suzuki's proposition that a review of history (time as opposed to space) will prove that the definition of "Japanese" has been a function of time and political, social and economic context in which there were "varying strategies which the state used to manage difference and create uniformity" for its own purposes.
From the Paper "In "Japan" in Reinventing Japan: Time, Space, Nation? (M.E. Sharp, 1998, p. 10) Tessa Morris-Suzuki proposes that the definition of what it means to be Japanese ?was not contestant or stable. Instead ? it was contextual and changing?. She argues for her hypothesis and her proposal of re-examining the nature of the nation and the nationalistic concept by presenting an overview of history to support the fact that Japan is not a homogeneous society and never has been. This is to present argument to the contrary position that the Japanese were essentially a homogeneous social group, a phenomenon created by geographic isolation. Instead, Morris-Suzuki proposes that a review of history (time as opposed to space) will prove that the definition of "Japanese" has been a function of time and political, social and economic context in which there were "varying strategies which the state used to manage difference and create uniformity" (pg. 34) for its own purposes."
Tags: japan, time, space, morris, suzuki, nationalism
This paper provides an examination of the soaring career, culture, and works of Chinese-American author Amy Tan with a special emphasis on her novel, "The Hundred Secret Senses".
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 10 sources, 2001, $ 73.95
Abstract This paper examines the life, career and literature of best-selling Chinese-American author Amy Tan. The author focuses specifically on her novel "The Hundred Secret Senses", and examines the history of Chinese-American immigrants, the discrimination they were subjected to, and the pressures of assimilation into American culture. The paper also looks at the pull between Chinese tradition and American way of life, and how Tan struggles with this issue in her writing.
From the Paper "In only a handful of novels, Amy Tan has brought us the legends and stories of her background. She has introduced the American public to a new world of fiction, based on her own experiences mingled with the experiences of her ancestors in their beloved homeland of China . In these stories, she has shown herself to be a writer of uncommon technical skills, powers of observation, and richness of humanity, a combination of gifts that inspires her many readers to eager anticipation of her future works."
Abstract This paper discusses the effects of globalization and its invasion in the traditional societies of South Asia. The paper explains how globalization has brought changes in the cultural fabric of countries like India and that many old traditions are now being replaced by new and powerful western values but that there still some norms which have been able to withstand the forceful influence of the western world.
From the Paper "There is a lot of debate going on in almost every part of the world regarding globalization and its possible impact on the traditional societies of the world. While it is impossible to comment on the effects of globalization and still maintain an impartial stance, yet we can discuss the impact of this on some countries of the world to find out how it is bringing changes to so many parts..."
Tags: India, tradition, culture, technology, advance, values, influence
Abstract This essay examines the experiences of the Chinese people who immigrated to America between the years 1850 and 1930. The author looks at the events that these people experienced such as the hardships and the culture barriers as well as the series of laws and events that occurred during this immigration to the United States.
From the Paper "As with many other people groups who left their homelands for America during this 80-year period, Asians experienced a great number of positive and negative ordeals in their attempts to join the great melting pot of the new world. Chinese immigration during this time is filled with countless stories of hardship, rejection, persecution, opportunity, and success. A significant language barrier compounded the Chinese immigration experience. Beginning in the mid- 19th Century when young, single men were recruited as contract laborers from Southern China (particularly from the Kuangtung Province), Asian immigrants have played a vital role in the development of the United States. Several factors contributed to the influx of Chinese to the wild American West around 1850. "
Abstract This essay discusses Buddhism by looking at Basho's travel diary entries, or stations which contain a haiku poem . The writer reflects on the flashes of enlightenment, called kensho, which are intense forms of those everyday occurrences that surprise us because they seem to reveal a truth.
From the paper:
?Haiku is a momentary, condensed poetic form and its special quality is that it is perfectly adapted to give the reader that little instant of kensho insight. Each of Basho's travel diary entries, or stations, contain a haiku poem, an enigmatic ?kensho.? Each haiku becomes a little burst of awakening.?
