The seniority of Brahmins is from sacred knowledge, that of the Kshatriyas from valor, that of Vaishyas from wealth in grain (and other goods), but that of Shudras only from age. A man is not respected because his head is gray; he who, though young, has studied the Veda, the gods consider to be respected. ~Manusmriti (Laws of Manu) ~

Feburary 14th

I5: BUDDHISM

The essence of Buddhism

The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.”

The 3 jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, the teacher. Dharma, the teachings. Sangha, the community.

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)

Born in NE India (Nepal). Raised in great luxury to be a king. At 29 he rejected his luxurious life to seek

enlightenment and the source of suffering For 6 years he lived a peasant life.

“The Enlightened One” Finding no answers in his new peasant

life he changed his idea on how to find the reasoning for suffering.

He sat in meditation, and found nirvana.

At 35 he became “The Enlightened One”

Desire!Desire!

What is the fundamental cause of all suffering?

Therefore, extinguish the self, don’t obsess about oneself.

Four Noble Truths

1. There is suffering in the world. To live is to suffer. (Dukkha)

2. The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments. (Tanha)

3. The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments.

4. To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path.

8 Fold Path

NirvanaNirvana

Eightfold Path

Escape from the cycle of reincarnation

A way of living that will lead one to Nirvana

I6: Maurya Empire & King Asoka

Chandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCE

Unified northern India. Defeated the Persians Divided his empire into provinces, then

districts for tax assessments and law enforcement.

He feared assassination food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc.

The Maurya Empire:

321 BCE – 185 BCE

Kautilya Chandragupta’s advisor. Brahmin caste. Wrote The Treatise on Material Gain or the

Arthashastra. A guide for the king and his ministers:

Supports royal power. The great evil in society is anarchy. Therefore, a single authority is needed to

employ force when necessary!

Military Ruler

Asoka, Chandragupta’s grandson, became king in 270 BCE.

He was the strongest of all the Mauryan rulers.

He extended Mauryan rule over most of India.

Asoka’s Empire

Asoka (304 – 232 BCE)

After the gruesome battle Asoka dedicated his life to Buddhism.

Conflict how to balance Kautilya’s methods of keeping power and

Buddha’s demands to become a selfless person?

Asoka’s law code Asoka wrote a new law code, Buddhist

teachings dominated his laws. Tried to make things more equal and help

the people. He wrote his laws in Sanskrit on 50 ft tall

stone pillars. Edicts scattered in more than 30 places in

India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan.

220 BCE – 320 CE

When Asoka died a period of chaos started, as their was no clear heir to the throne, three different empire arose.

Gupta Rulers

Under Gupta rule: Profitable trade with

the Mediterranean world!

Hindu revival.

Achievements

MedicinePrinted

Medical Guides

Plastic Surgery

Immunizations

C-Sections

MathematicsDecimal SystemPI (3.14)Concept of Zero

AstronomyThe Earth is RoundSolar Calendar

The Decline of the Guptas

Invasion of the White Huns in the 4th century signaled the end of the Gupta Golden Age, even though at first, the Guptas defeated them.

After the decline of the Gupta empire, north India broke into a number of separate Hindu kingdoms and was not really unified again until the coming of the Muslims in the 7th century.

3 of 51. What is the root of all suffering?

2. How does a person escape the cycle of reincarnation, according to Buddha?

3. How Asoka change India?

4. How did Asoka spread his new laws to his people?

5. List 3 of the achievements of the Indian civilizations. (Be specific)