Eurasian Cultural Traditions 500 B.C.E.-500 C.E. Chapter 5 Lecture A.P. Lecture Ways of the World

2 Today’s Objective...  Today we will analyze the Eurasian Cultural Traditions (500 B.C.E C.E.) and the major religions using this lecture. 2

Lets Sing!!!  Dynasty song! We get to sing!!! Yay!

4 Chinese Religions  Confucianism  A religion based on the philosophy of Confucius in China who served as an advisor to rulers.  He lived in China during a time of moral lax.  His writings deal primarily with individual morality and ethics, and the proper exercise of political power by the rulers.  Confucianism is primarily an ethical system  This philosophy provided a hierarchy where one knew their place in the world.  Family=country  **Generally new religions will emerge in times of chaos or uncertainty. Why?

Daoism  Dao can be translated to “the path” or “the way”  This philosophy stresses balance and harmony in the universe  Leave the world as you found it.  Eliminate want and focus on need.  There is no hierarchy as in Confucianism  Dao can be translated to “the path” or “the way”  This philosophy stresses balance and harmony in the universe  Leave the world as you found it.  Eliminate want and focus on need.  There is no hierarchy as in Confucianism The Ying and Yang symbol demonstrates the female and male roles in the natural order.

6 Blend of Dravidian and Aryan influences + Called the “Vedic Age” Classical Hinduism By 500 BCE (start of the Classical Era) Oral traditions written down in the Vedas 4 Varnas = Castes and their (Dharma) Brahmin = Priests (learn scriptures) Kshatriyas = Warrior/Aristocrats (govern and fight) Vaishyas = Merchants (to sell goods/work) Shudras = Peasants (to serve) UNTOUCHABLES Jati = Sub-castes that further divide the varnas Samsara = reincarnation (cyclical existence of the soul) Dharma = duty Karma = good and bad deeds Moksha = Salvation or release fron the cycle of Samsara = Aryan Migrations 1600 – 1000 BCE Large, light-skinned Nomadic horseman from central Asia (S. Russia) Brought: Herding Oral tradition in Sanskrit Aryan Gods 4 Classes Harappan Civilization 2500 – 1600 BCE Indus River Valley Dravidian (dark-skinned) Herded cattle and farmed Worshipped fertility gods Ritualized bathing pools Houses showed evidence of distinct class divisions

7 Hinduism  Polytheistic religion made of hundreds of gods, originated in India around 1500 b.c.e  Three main deities are Shiva the destroyer, Vishnu the preserver, and Brahma the creator, all are embodied in Shiva.  Reincarnation is a principle of Hinduism in which a persons soul is born again.  Polytheistic religion made of hundreds of gods, originated in India around 1500 b.c.e  Three main deities are Shiva the destroyer, Vishnu the preserver, and Brahma the creator, all are embodied in Shiva.  Reincarnation is a principle of Hinduism in which a persons soul is born again.

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9 The Story of the Buddha  The Founder = Siddhartha Gautama  Born in 563 B.C.E. in foothills of Himalayas a Kshatriya (warrior/aristocrat) family  Father was determined that his son would experience only happiness  Gautama lived a pampered life in beautiful parks and palaces  Gautama grew tired of his comfortable life and went out into the world to find the answer..

10 Buddha Story (cont).  Gautama met a series of people who taught him that:  Some men become monks, withdraw from the active daily life, and lead holy lives seeking spirituality  Gautama left his wife, family, and home to be a holy man, seeking spiritual enlightenment and the explanation for suffering..

11 Buddhism Story (cont.)  Nothing was working for Siddhartha  Decided to meditate under a tree to find the answer

12 The Buddha  Meditated for 49 days  Demons and spirits tempted him  In the end, Siddhartha understood the problem of suffering & how to solve it  Siddhartha became enlightened, aka “The Buddha”

13 The Four Noble Truths 1. All life involves suffering 2. Desire is the cause of suffering 3. Elimination of desire brings an end to suffering 4. A disciplined life following the Noble Eightfold Path eliminates desire..

14 The Noble 8-Fold Path  RIGHT __________ 1. VIEWS (Belief) 2. ASPIRATIONS (Resolve) 3. SPEECH 4. CONDUCT (Behavior) 5. LIVELIHOOD (Occupation) 6. EFFORT 7. MINDFULNESS (Meditation) 8. CONTEMPLATION..

15 Nirvana  Definition  A state of perfect spiritual independence  Enlightenment  Escape from reincarnation  Parallels to other religions  Similar to Moksha (Hinduism)  Similar to reaching Heaven (Christianity)..

16 Buddhist Doctrine (cont.)  Buddhism promotes a life of:  Moderation  Quiet Contemplation  Self Control  Buddhism rejected:  Brahmins (Priests)  Castes and jati  Vedic gods of Hinduism..

17 Who was attracted to Buddhism?  Hindus from low castes  Merchants especially! Why merchants?  Had high wealth but low status in Hindu..

18 Ways Buddhism Spread  Merchants spread it via trade  Siddhartha preached & won converts  Monks spread the word by preaching..

19 Buddhism Flourished  Spread throughout SE Asia  Spread throughout Central Asia via the Silk Road  Reached China via the Silk Road..

20 Hinduism Adapted to Regain Appeal in India  Less emphasis on Brahmins  Bhagavad Gita offered salvation to the faithful, even if they are not priests  Hinduism replaced Buddhism as the most popular religion in India..

21 Sects of Buddhism  Theravada “The Lesser Vehicle”  Earlier form, stricter, no gods  Popular but not much easier than Hindu  Mahayana “The Greater Vehicle” (Developed Between 3 rd and 1 st Centuries)  3 Changes: 1. Buddha worshipped as a God 2. Boddhisatvas = individuals who reached Nirvana but remained behind to help others get there 3. Monasteries granted salvation for large donations

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23 Compare the 3 Monotheistic Religion Zoroaster Zoroastrianism Hebrews Judaism Jesus of Nazareth Christianity