Maritime Silk Road And Religion Spread In The South China Sea Area

At the beginning of the14thcentury, the commercial traffic network which passedthrough Eurasia was recovered and extended to a new level. The marine commercial routewhich took the Indian Ocean as the center, and connected Mediterranean region and the SouthSea area become more and more convenient and prosperous.The Maritime Silk Road began with The Han Dynasty two thousand years ago, anddeveloped to the main channel of the communication from east to west after the middle ofthe Tang Dynasty. Variety of people, such as the businessman, the envoy, the monk andtourist, etc. come and go through this old marine channel in all ages. It advanced thecommunication of civilization among every country, and also promoted the mutualunderstanding. The tourists Friar Odoric, Ibn Battuta and Wang Dayuan all travelled everyplace of the South Sea Silk road. The travel notes written by them according to what they’veseen and heard, have recorded history, geography, politics, religion, social climate, andlandscape and hydrology, etc. The notes with abundant content are rare valuable data.The South Sea area is the important connection of the Maritime Silk Road, and is alsothe intersection of the international marine traffic since ancient times because of its specialgeographical position. The merchants who pursued the high profit become the first comers atthis area. They stayed at every place for exchange of goods and then settled down gradually,which laid foundations for people coming and going. All kinds of religion were primitivelybrought in by the merchants from the long-term commercial dealings. Later they weredisseminated widely by the preaching and persuading of the scholar, the monk and themissionary. Under the impact of the special and complicated geographical environment,theimbalance of social development, and the numerous nationality at the South Sea area, allkinds of religion took roots at this area through a peaceful way, but not through the militaryaggression way. It is the reason why every religion formed a peaceful condition at the SouthSea area at the beginning of the14thcentury and this condition last until now.From the peaceful religion condition, it showed us a strong peace power hiding in thesocial and history of the South Sea area. This ancient power appeared from the trading, thereligion dissemination, the travels of tourists and the communication of the civilization. Justbecause of this peaceful trading environment, the South Sea area has developed. There is avery important meaning to succeed and carry forward this tradition. It advanced friendlycommunication among every country, settled dispute and sought mutual development.