Rice To Feed the World

 Grown for thousands of years, rice has been a food held dear to countless cultures throughout history. Used for everything from comfort food to a religious offering, rice's significance isn't diminishing anytime soon- in fact it is steadily increasing. Accounting for 90% of the world's population and consumption of rice, Asia takes the prize for the biggest rice producer in the world. 

Rice plays an important role in Hindu and Buddhist religious services, two of the major religions of Asia. There is even a Chinese proverb that says that 'precious things are not pearls and jade but the five grains, of which rice is the finest.' There are Chinese myths that say that when the people were starving after a flood, long yellow seeds grew into rice and saved the hungry villagers. 

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So even though, rice being an important part of many cultures and customs is nothing new, it has been said that the plan is to raise the production of rice by 70% in the next few decades after research has shown how rice is a cheap way to provide nutrition for those who need it most. Demands for rice are continuing to grow as people have figured out that if given to poorer urban families, rice can provide up to half of their necessary calories each day. 

The origin of rice or the people who first discovered is unclear, but what is certain is that rice has fed more people for more years than any other crop in history. 

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Origins of Buddhism: India to China

Without remembering our past, we can never clearly step forward while remaining on our path.  

India, who had been practicing Buddhism for over 500 years, brought more than goods to China as they traveled along the silk road. 

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During the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) , enlightened missionaries and hopeful traders were anxious to engage China and then move on to Europe as well.The Indians brought religion or a philosophy as well - specifically Buddhism.

The Han Dynasty was a time of strict Confuscian beliefs.The Han Dynasty did benefit from Confucianism. Because of it, the Han Dynasty improved and established the system of ruling the land by morals and ethics, something that the Qin Dynasty overlooked. The establishment of a Confucian state has helped Han Wudi rule for 54 years, making him one of the longest rulers in China’s history.

Many forms of buddhism had evolved within India, but the one that took hold in China was Mahayana Buddhism. Forms of Mahayana Buddhism include Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism. 

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Mahayana Buddhism played an extensive role in the shaping of Chinese civilization- and as Buddhism spread to China, the Chinese civilization played an extensive role in how Buddhism could be developed and practiced! 

The religion has such an influence in China, large amounts of money and other human resources have been dedicated to the establishment of beautiful and elaborate temples and works of art. Today an estimated 100 million people in China follow Buddhism -- making it the largest religion of China! That's a lot of Buddhists!