Afro-Eurasian Trade and the Spread of Buddhism

This article explores the relationship between Afro-Eurasian trade and the spread of Buddhism, emphasizing the role of traders in disseminating the religion through the Silk Road and other trade routes. It discusses the commodities traded and the empires involved, as well as the cultural and religious exchanges facilitated by the trade routes.

Running head: AFRO-EURASIAN TRADE AND THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM 1
Afro- Eurasian Trade and the Spread of Buddhism
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AFRO- EURASIAN TRADE AND THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM 2
Assignment 2: Afro-Eurasian Trade and the Spread of Buddhism
The existence of trade can be trade from the ancient times even before civilization took
place. This is because no one has ever had every resource they need and on the other hand some
people have an abundance of certain commodity. Trade therefore provides an avenue for those
who lack certain goods to acquire them and those with an excess to dispose them in a productive
way. (Smith, 2012)
The continents of Africa, Asia and Europe began engaging in trading activities around
150 CE for each continent had some commodities to offer to the other. There is also a direct
correlation of the spread of Buddhism, which is an ancient religion originating from the
Himalaya Mountains with the trading activities conducted then. This is owing to the fact that the
greatest spreaders of the religion were traders using the trading routes created by merchants on
land as well as using sea transport, for mariners had developed good commercial links.
Merchants coming from India obtained commodities such as wood and grain and took
them to Ethiopia and Arabia, those heading towards the west carried with them commodities
such as gold, while those going to the south eastern parts of Asia would carry with them pearls
and other merchandise. On their return journey, they would have acquired goods such as copper
which they would take to India and exchange them for commodities needed in other regions.
From the map, most trade routes were concentrated around sea coasts and water masses
such as around the Mediterranean Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and the South China Sea.
This can be attributed to the presence of ports along the coasts which the traders used for
transportation (Smith, 2012). The Silk Road connected the east and the west forming a network.

AFRO- EURASIAN TRADE AND THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM 3
Empires such as the Roman Empire, the Han Empire, the Parthian Empire and the
Kushan Empire had a network of the trade routes established through. The Kushan Empire
extended it vast network of the Silk Road to both the Roman Empire to the west and the Han
Empire to the east. The Silk Road was used by traders originating from the Kushan Empire to
spread the religion of Buddhism to Han Empire Korea. Long- distance political and economic
relations were therefore created among the empires as a result of trade on the road. These ties
were important in ensuring that trade went on smoothly and uninterrupted, and the success of the
Afro- Eurasian trade can be attributed to the good relations of the empires to a large extent
(Smith, 2012).
Evidently from the map, trade routes facilitated the spread of culture, religion and
civilization. Buddhism was spread from the Kushan Empire having originated from the
Himalaya Mountains through the Western Regions Protectorate to the Han Empire by use of the
Silk Road for transport. This can perhaps mean that the traders were not only involved in trade
but also they were determined to pass on their ideologies as they passed through the different
territories (Smith, 2012).
In conclusion, Afro-Eurasian Trade did not only focus on trading activities but also
enhanced the spread of cultures and religion in particular Buddhism. The links created by the
trade routes facilitated accessibility of interior regions.

AFRO- EURASIAN TRADE AND THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM 4
References
Smith, B. & Smith, B. (2012). Sources of Crossroads and cultures: a history of the world's
peoples. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.