What role did the adherence to Mahayana Buddhism play in the Tang era?

Answer 1

Buddhism in general provided a point of commonality in the territories that were diversely populated throughout northern and southern China; it also incorporated Turkic elements and elements from Inner Asia. It thus worked as a bonding mechanism and made unification of the territory easier. Specifically, the use of Mahayana, as opposed to Theraveda, Buddhism allowed for the inclusion of local gods and goddesses as bodhisattvas, making Buddhism more syncretic and appealing. Mahayana was more flexible and adaptable to local structures and languages, as well as more accepting of religious practices that were not inscribed into Sutras. The translation of Buddhist scripture into local languages facilitated the transfer of culture, trade, and technology and helped to create the "cosmopolitan" effect of the Tang era. The book refers to a Mahayana network throughout Inner Asia and China. Finally, the endorsement of Buddhism in the Mahayana form allowed a fusion of politics and religion, connecting the political elite with the monasteries through mutual benefits, including cash and land.