No Sacred Text.No Sacred Text. Hindu gods were Brahman- Hindu gods were Brahman-

the creator, Vishnu- the the creator, Vishnu- the preserver, and Shiva- the preserver, and Shiva- the destroyer.destroyer.

People believed in People believed in reincarnation.reincarnation.

Big law was Karma in which Big law was Karma in which all the actions of a persons all the actions of a persons life that affect their fate.life that affect their fate.

Ahisma is the nonviolence Ahisma is the nonviolence moral principle.moral principle.

All Hindus’ goal in life is All Hindus’ goal in life is Moksha, union with Moksha, union with Brahman.Brahman.

•Buddhism has four noble truths.•1 is all life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow.•2 is the cause of suffering is the desire for things that are really illusions.•3 is the only cure for suffering is to overcome desire.•4 is the way to overcome desire is to follow the 8 fold path.• The final goal is Nirvana – the union from the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth.•The spread of Buddhism spread all over Asia and became a strong religion that eventually split up into 2 major schools.•1 school was Theravada- closely followed Buddha’s original teachings•The other was Mahayana- made Buddhism easier for people to follow.

• The Maurya empire. (321 BC to 185BC)The Maurya empire. (321 BC to 185BC)• It started in the Ganges Valley by Chandragupta.It started in the Ganges Valley by Chandragupta.• Its capital was Pataliputra.Its capital was Pataliputra.• After the death of Asoka (Chandragupta’s grandson) India After the death of Asoka (Chandragupta’s grandson) India

divided again.divided again.• The Guptas ( Five hundred years after the Maurya empire)The Guptas ( Five hundred years after the Maurya empire)• Had a golden age from 320 AD – 550 AD.Had a golden age from 320 AD – 550 AD.• Had mathematicians, physicians, and artisans.Had mathematicians, physicians, and artisans.• Trading and farming flourished at this time.Trading and farming flourished at this time.• Built stupas – large dome shaped buildings.Built stupas – large dome shaped buildings.• The Huns destroyed their cities and once again India is The Huns destroyed their cities and once again India is

divided.divided.

Caste SystemCaste System• Rules forbade marrying out of their caste• Caste systems governed every aspect of life like

where people lived, what they ate, how they dressed, and how they earned a living.

• An “Untouchable” is a member of the lower caste and their life was rough and restricted.

• Untouchables were grave diggers, street cleaners, and turned animal skins to leather.

• Others were scared of untouchables.• They had to live apart from everyone and they

wore a wooden clapper so people would be warned when an untouchable is coming.

Most Indians lived in small villages.Most Indians lived in small villages. A village headsman and council made decisions and A village headsman and council made decisions and

dealt with outside authorities, the council contained dealt with outside authorities, the council contained most respected people of the village.most respected people of the village.

Village homes were made of earth and stone.Village homes were made of earth and stone. Beyond the homes were farms that grew wheat, rice, Beyond the homes were farms that grew wheat, rice,

cotton, and sugar cane.cotton, and sugar cane. They depended on monsoons for farming purposes.They depended on monsoons for farming purposes. A basic family was a joint family – parents, children, A basic family was a joint family – parents, children,

and grandparents.and grandparents. In a patriarchal family the father was the head of the In a patriarchal family the father was the head of the

household and consulted with his wife and others.household and consulted with his wife and others.

Children, Parents, and WomenChildren, Parents, and Women At an early age children learned family duties. A young girl learns that as a wife she has to serve and

obey her husband and family. Parents had to arrange good marriages for their children. In some parts of India, a bride’s family provided a gift to

the bridegroom and paid for the wedding. The wife lives with the husband’s family. Gupta upper caste women could move freely in society. Most women were restricted to their home and had to be

covered from head to toe when they went out. Lower caste women worked in fields spinning and

weaving.

Confucianism Confucianism • Confucianism was started by the great Confucianism was started by the great

philosopher Confucius, who was born philosopher Confucius, who was born in 551 BC.in 551 BC.

• He never wrote down his teachings but He never wrote down his teachings but his students wrote them down shortly his students wrote them down shortly after he died.after he died.

• Taught that harmony resulted when Taught that harmony resulted when people accepted their place in society.people accepted their place in society.

• Stressed five key relationships: Father Stressed five key relationships: Father to Son, elder brother to younger to Son, elder brother to younger brother, husband to wife, ruler to brother, husband to wife, ruler to subject, and friend to friend.subject, and friend to friend.

• Men were superior to women.Men were superior to women.• Older people were superior to younger Older people were superior to younger

people.people.• Mothers of sons should be respected.Mothers of sons should be respected.• Had filial piety, the most important Had filial piety, the most important

was to respect your parents above all was to respect your parents above all others.others.

• Confucianism never became a religion.Confucianism never became a religion.

• Legalism was started by Hanfeizi who was another Chinese Legalism was started by Hanfeizi who was another Chinese philosopher.philosopher.

• He died in 233 BC.He died in 233 BC.• “ “ The nature of man is evil. His good is acquired.” The nature of man is evil. His good is acquired.” • Greed was the motive of most actions and causes of most Greed was the motive of most actions and causes of most

conflicts.conflicts.• Consisted of strict laws and harsh punishments.Consisted of strict laws and harsh punishments.• Due to its emphasis on law, Hanfeizi’s teachings were Due to its emphasis on law, Hanfeizi’s teachings were

known as Legalism.known as Legalism.• Never became a religion.Never became a religion.

DaoismDaoism• Was found by Laozi “ Old Master.”Was found by Laozi “ Old Master.”• He is credited to have written He is credited to have written The Way of The Way of

Virtus.Virtus.• Differed from Confucianism and Legalism.Differed from Confucianism and Legalism.• Evolved into a popular religion with gods, Evolved into a popular religion with gods,

goddesses, and magical practices.goddesses, and magical practices.• Daoist priests experimented with Alchemy – Daoist priests experimented with Alchemy –

the transformation of metal into gold.the transformation of metal into gold.• Are thought to have invented gunpowder, Are thought to have invented gunpowder,

which they only used to frighten away ghosts. which they only used to frighten away ghosts.