What was the connection between merchants using the Silk Road and Buddhism?

A. Merchants helped spread Buddhism by building Buddhist monasteries along their routes.
B. Merchants helped spread Buddhism by selling many copies of Buddhist scripture.
C. Merchants helped spread Buddhism by supporting the monasteries, which provided a place for them to stay.
D. Merchants helped spread Buddhism by converting the local people to the religion.

C. Merchants helped spread Buddhism by supporting the monasteries, which provided a place for them to stay.