Recall that cultural diffusion means "the spreading of elements of one culture to other cultures." Provide three examples of cultural diffusion in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia-one for each region. What conditions enabled each instance of diffusion, and how did the diffusion impact civilizations?

Cultural diffusion, or the spread of ideas and customs from one society to another, occurs in a variety of ways including migration, war and trade among diverse societies. The Silk Road of ancient China is an example of cultural diffusion occurring as a result of trade. Although the route began in about 138 B. C. as a means for China to export silk fabric - - a rare and valuable commodity - - trade along the Silk Road greatly promoted the exchange of products, ideas and practices between Oriental and Western civilizations.