In this weeks reading I found it interesting that no matter the type of trade route, not only merchandise seemed to be passed on, but religions too.  It seemed that every time they spoke of crossing to a different land, one religion of some sort had been brought along also.  Buddhism seemed to appeal to many of the merchants that followed the Silk Roads from India to Central Asia and China.  The Buddhist faith used to frown on the material world but then started fluorishing from all that they had picked up from other cultures.  The Silk Roads brought more to the religion. They started having sculptures and murals.  The begging bowls became a symbol more than a daily activity. The Sea roads brought about trade in larger amounts because the boats could carry more than a camel.  The ships could carry products for a mass market.  However, along with products, it brought about the rise in Islam.  Islam then spread across Afro-Eurasia.  The Confucian culture was suspicious of merchants,but The prophet Muhammad was a trader himself so merchants were comfortable with Islam. The trade routes bring about so much, unfortunately, disease too. I could not believe how many diseases were passed on.

The next thing I found interesting or moreover disturbing is the "foot binding" tradition that was in the Song Dynasty.  In Confucianism it is based on relationships.  The woman is subordinate to her husband.  I would like to know what horrible man decided that small feet make a woman better. How is breaking a woman's foot and binding them and causing them excruciating pain a form of beauty?  In my opinion....some whacko! Maybe we should have broke his feet and binded them and see how he liked it.  What a horrible way to have to compete with other women.  Can you imagine? Trying to compete with a concubine by being the smallest most petite woman? It saddens me.  They say the Song Dynasty offered women more opportunities.  Oh, yay, they could become an entertainer, a concubine, a courtesan or a prostitute. How sad for the wives who have to try and hold on to their husbands.  For those poor families, they turn their daughter into a concubine so they can gain wealth.  You see their point of view. Then you look at the wife and see how horrible it must have been for her.  Although thankfully, later they encourage women to be educated so they may more effectively raise their sons and increase their family's fortune.  They aren't showing favoritism towards males are they?