Buddhism was introduced to China in the 1st Century by missionaries from the Yuezhi people, also known as Kushans. Although its message of personal enlightenment did not fit into the Confucian worldview, which emphasizes social structure and hierarchy, it did resemble Daoism enough for some Chinese to even consider it a foreign branch of Daoism. During the T'ang Dynasty when travel and trade along the Silk Road was at it's peak, Buddhism enjoyed great popularity. Buddhist tradition survives to this day as can be seen by these people lighting candles and incense in front of a Buddhist Temple. The footprints above are an artistic rendition of the Tathagata Buddha's feet.
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