1. Introduction To DBQ

2. SAMPLE 1 – Buddhism in China
Based on the documents, analyze responses to the spread of Buddhism in China. What additional document(s) would you need to evaluate the extent of Buddhism’s appeal?
use ink on essays…

3. Historical Background - 1
Buddhism was founded in India in the 6th century BCE and brought to China by the 1st century CE. It gradually won converts following collapse of the HAN dynasty (220 CE). Buddhist influence continued expanding for several centuries. Between 220 CE & 570 CE, China experienced political instability and disunity. After 570 CE the imperial structure was restored.

4. Historical background…
Read the “Historical Background.”
Be careful! Do NOT quote from the historical background.

5. Take notes on the documents
Try to write the following about the authors of the document:
A) social class (Ex. King, wealthy, poor etc.)
B) Gender (Male or female)
2. Try to write a short phrase that summarizes the basic meaning of the document. (Why was it written?)
3. Try to write a missing piece of evidence that relates to the document.

6. Thesis Statement
Nothing is more important in the first paragraph than the clear statement of a thesis. Can be 2 or 3 sentences
Do Not write your first paragraph before you have a clear idea of what your thesis will be.
Let’s use the specific question given as an example:
“analyze responses to the spread of Buddhism in China.”

7. Poor THESIS - doesn’t work
There were many responses to the spread of Buddhism in China.
WHY NOT?
Vague
“many” is a meaningless qualifier that doesn’t take a position…list effects if there were some
Focus on “impact” not “responses”

8. Minimally Acceptable THESIS
Chinese reacted to Buddhism in both positive and negative ways.
WHY?
2 categories
Needs more description

9. Acceptable Thesis
Chinese commoners responded positively toward Buddha’s message, but the aristocrats and Confucian scholars rejected Buddhism.
WHY?
Shows understanding of social and economic differences in Chinese society
Commoners v. aristocrats and scholar gentry

10. Excellent Thesis
Chinese peasants initially welcomed Buddhism because it gave them shelter during uncertain times. As imperial security improved, authorities increasingly saw Buddhism as a threat to their political power and moved to discredit it.
WHY?
Shows change over time; incorporates socio-economic awareness

11. EXAMPLE: Evidence from the Docs…
The Anonymous Chinese scholar’s (doc #3) defense of Buddhism reflects the growing criticism of Buddhism as political order and stability was reestablished in China. As the Tang dynasty asserted its authority there was more pressure on Buddhists to show why Buddhism was compatible with traditional Chinese beliefs.
(Evidence interpreted from the document relates back to thesis)

12. Excellent use of EVIDENCE
The financial pressure implied in the second question of the Disposition of Error (doc #3) is echoed in Emperor Wu’s Edict (doc #6)
WHY?
USES TRUTHS FROM 2 DOCS TO SUPPORT THESIS
HIGHLIGHTS SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTIC THATIS SHARED BY MORE THAN ONE DOC

13. Unacceptable EVIDENCE
Zhi Dun says in doc # 2 that…
Blah, blah, blah…
WHY?
It’s a summary AVOID summarizing
Don’t quote from doc
Students must interpret, make an argument, and/or draw conclusions

14. Point of View for 2 or 3 documents
Explain why the speaker has this particular opinion OR what informs the author’s or the audience’s POV
Can evaluate the trustworthiness of the document
Avukana Buddha Statue - 5th century stone sculpture from Sri Lanka

15. UNACCEPTABLE POV
Zhi Dun (doc #2) is biased because he is a scholar & confidant of aristocrats
Emperor Wu (doc #6) is biased because he is the emperor
WHY?
SHOWS NO UNDERSTANDING & SIMPLY REPEATS INFORMATION FROM THE DOCS

16. Acceptable POV
Zhi Dun’s argument supporting Buddhism (doc #2) is understandable, given the politically tumultuous times in which he wrote. When political leaders cannot provide security, the masses often look to spiritual leaders, especially those who make sense of meaningless suffering {Analysis answers who, when, why?}
WHY?
Meaning; Evidence; Analysis

17. Groups: Analyze docs by grouping them in 2 or 3 ways depending on the question
UNACCEPTABLE GROUPING: Docs 1, 2 & 5 all support Buddhism, while doc #4 opposes it
WHY?
Single document cannot be a group
Find a characteristic that two or more docs share

18. ACCEPTABLE Grouping
Docs 1, 2, 5 all support Buddhism, while docs 4 & 6 oppose it. Doc # 3 bridges the two, supporting Buddhism while implicitly acknowledging the growing opposition to Buddhism in Chinese society

19. Additional Document Should do 2 things:
Give a plausible reason why a particular document would help answer the question
2. Explicitly explain how that document is different from the other documents

20. Additional Document Unacceptable EXAMPLE
It would be nice to have a document from an emperor
There already is one (don’t repeat)
It would be good to have a document from a peasant
WHY?
Must include WHY
Explain how the peasant would have thought about the issues differently

21. Acceptable Additional Document
It would be nice to see a document from a Buddhist peasant during the time of political instability, in order to see how their motives for being Buddhist differs from the Confucianist motives of Han Yu & Emperor Wu
WHY?
Adds a rationale

22. Conclusion: Restate the Thesis
End of Part I
Buddhism in China