Arts & Humanities - 14 June 2007

THE TANG DYNASTY

The period during which China was ruled under the Tang dynasty (618-907 C. E.) is considered by Historians as China’s golden period. The early part of this dynasty was one of the best periods for peasants due to meaningful tax and land reforms. Polotical reforms made the Tang dynasty China’s most sophisticated political state in the world at the time. The Tang capital city- Chang-an (today known as Xian)’s a growing city drawing merchants and travelers from Asia, the near East and even the Mediterranean.
One of the greatest achievements during the peace of the Tang leadership is when the important religion of Buddhism really flourished. In many religions, Buddhism coexisted with the native ideas of Taoism; in some religions, a blending of Chinese (Taoist) and Buddhist traditions. Buddhism was aided by the efforts of Chinese Buddhists such as Fa Hsien who made a journey to India in the late 4th and early 5th centuries in search of original Buddhism texts. He returned to China with several texts and spent the rest of his life translating them.
The prosperity of the Tang, combined with the influences brought in by the Silk Road trade, resulting in parts of China with scholarships and especially in the production of fine arts including sculpturing and painting. The most famed achievement in the eyes of some was Tang literature in particular the poetry of this period. Poets such as Li Bo and Tu Fu are still considered the greatest poets produced by Chinese civilization. These poets blended traditional forms dating back to the Shang period, but also blended influences from other cultures inn Central Asia and even farter away.
During the golden age of the Tang dynasties, more important achievements were made by the Chinese, inventions such as block printing and gunpowder were developed. This was also the period when Chinese technology produced the mariner’s compass and the water clock. As a result of the tremendous prosperity enabled by trade, paper currency was developed, as well as sophisticated methods of banking.
China’s achievements were in fact so impressive that the civilizations of Korea, Japan and countries in Southeast Asia were influenced by China’s culture.

2007-06-14 13:39:28 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in History

This a BCR I need help with. I need to know the answer and where you got your information.

2007-06-14 13:38:45 · 4 answers · asked by Maggie S 2 in History

2007-06-14 13:31:59 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Books & Authors

The Beast

Tattered, teetered, tossed, and tore,

the ship was battered, beaten more.

Fists of froth, the storm it threw,

and tossed and tore the craft anew.

Sputtered, spattered, spun and sprayed,

the ones on deck they bowed and prayed.

But the One, He did not heed

those of want and jealous greed.

Who were they, to try and own

the crests, the swells, the froth and foam?

Who were they, in their conceit

to try and tame His pet, His beast?

The water roared, it reared, it rained,

the beast it drowned, it killed, it maimed.

As if in rage, it did not care

for those it took, or those it spared.

Then at once, its anger spent

the lesson taught, it did relent.

The chosen sank into their grave

their headstone but a salty wave.

By and by, more will try

to capture, snare, and then will die.

In dark and cold the greed will cease

inside the belly of the beast.


JR

2007-06-14 13:31:20 · 2 answers · asked by enigmaticarrogantass 3 in Philosophy

here's a weird question for you guys, are we important enough to be leading men/ladies.

would anybody want to write about us, would anybody read it?

i guess what i'm asking is, and this is what i want you guys to answer!

what makes you special/different and why?

2007-06-14 13:30:28 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

2007-06-14 13:29:24 · 40 answers · asked by Giggly Giraffe 7 in Philosophy

2007-06-14 13:25:44 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in History

Of course you cannot really depend of CNN or FOX for news. I personally get mine from the BBC. What about you?

2007-06-14 13:25:36 · 13 answers · asked by djiens_army 2 in History

our paths in life(given to us for a reason I think), our relationships etc.
Why do we always try to change things when we know they are going to happen anyway?
Im guilty of doing it too but you just get down trodden and crushed when you realise you can do anything in your power but its a waste of time in the end.
Thought a deep thought provoking question was on the cards, couldnt help it sorry. x

2007-06-14 13:25:33 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

Think about this on a broad scope. Economically, politically, technologically, socially, and environmentally, what will the EARTH be like 100 to 200 years from now? Are you concerned? Will humans survive?

P.S... NO THIS IS NOT A HOMEWORK QUESTION, it's summer and i'm a marketing major for crying out loud. I'm just a curious soul!

2007-06-14 13:22:01 · 15 answers · asked by SouthCali4LifeSD 3 in Philosophy

:-)

2007-06-14 13:16:53 · 27 answers · asked by enki 4 in Philosophy

Life is so complicated that sometimes I ask this question to myself. What about you?

2007-06-14 13:10:43 · 12 answers · asked by Lost. at. Sea. 7 in Philosophy

im just starting so i want to try to teach myself b4 i get lessons

2007-06-14 13:09:49 · 18 answers · asked by imnottellingu 1 in Performing Arts

Are there many open auditons held? Where would I find out about them? Please help thanks =]

2007-06-14 13:07:22 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Theater & Acting

what are you thinking about right now

2007-06-14 13:06:53 · 36 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

2007-06-14 13:05:28 · 4 answers · asked by Hot Coco Puff 7 in Philosophy

2007-06-14 13:05:21 · 27 answers · asked by ♥MsCullen♥ 4 in Books & Authors

Is Debussy from that timeline???
I was reading Twilight, and one of the main characters likes that kind of music...just wondering if its good or not...?

2007-06-14 13:03:17 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Books & Authors

" a look a passion, a rage of fear"

2007-06-14 12:58:51 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Poetry

2007-06-14 12:57:57 · 15 answers · asked by Dragonman 1 in Books & Authors

debate at the moment is what is the end of the world

my friend says darkness is the end of the world because if the sun was to disappear nothing would be left apart from darkness.

we all no how life ends

what about water / air where does that end

what do you think is the end of the world?

2007-06-14 12:51:20 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

How? Show picture!!!!!! On a long piece of paper.

2007-06-14 12:50:01 · 1 answers · asked by ?????? ? 1 in Other - Visual Arts

2007-06-14 12:49:35 · 18 answers · asked by Cindy 1 in Philosophy

Star the Question if it arouses a Creative Literary interest in you.

Haven't you heard of Earnest Hemingway's Shortest 6-word, Short Story, 'baby shoes: for sale, never worn'?

He has chosen the right words & left the rest to the readers' imagination.

Here is a 2-word shortest short story : 'Still married'

Here are a coupla 6-word Short Stories:

1.I loved; I lost; I'm sorry'

2. She loved again; I never did.'

When asked to write a Short short Story containing the three essential Elements : Sex, Religion & Mystery, there was one entry that won the first prize:

' Good God, I'm pregnant. Wonder who did it'

Can you try your own shortest short story ' stories?



If you can, then, What are you waiting for?

The Funnier, the better!

2007-06-14 12:47:29 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Books & Authors

2007-06-14 12:39:31 · 8 answers · asked by TD Euwaite? 6 in Philosophy

2007-06-14 12:36:48 · 53 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

I like to write. I enjoy writing and I would want to pursue it professionally, but I do not have time to spend four to five hours a day writing - I am a teenager, and even with the summer, I still have things to do. I can't commit myself wholely to a schedule. But I would like tips.

Also, if you would inclue some good books with tips or books you'd reccommend or you'd think would help anyone's writing, etc. that would be great.

Thanks!

2007-06-14 12:34:54 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Books & Authors

...Im not wierd.

2007-06-14 12:34:22 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

It greatly disturbs me that the Equal Rights Amendment, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Rights_Ammendment, proposed in 1972 was not ratified, and it disturbs me even more that it has not yet been reintroduced in congress. Why is this? I can interpret it in no other way than an institutional misogyny. Do you feel the same way? Do you think it should be part of the constitution? If so, why? If, not why? Does it disturb you that it isn't part of the constitution?

2007-06-14 12:33:45 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

2007-06-14 12:31:03 · 5 answers · asked by zed10096 1 in Philosophy