Hinduism and BuddhismPURPOSE OF SECTION:

• Explain the development and impact of Hinduism and Buddhism in India and subsequent diffusion of Buddhism.

Hinduism• National religion of India

• Based on variety of beliefs and practices

• Is henotheistic: recognize existence of many gods but believe in only one supreme god

ॐ

Hinduism• God: Brahman – all of the universe is one

entity

• Three most important facets/aspects of Brahman:– Brahma – Creator

• Continues to create new creations– Vishnu – Preserver

• Preserves new creation, sometimes by traveling to earth if necessary

– Shiva – Destroyer• Can be compassionate or destructive

Hinduism• Belief in reincarnation (or transmigration of

the soul)

– The soul is reborn into another body after death

– Karma determines where you are born• Karma- the accumulation of good or bad deeds• Therefore your actions determine your station in life

Hinduism (Reincarnation, cont.)– One can be born into a higher caste or lower

caste

– Eventually, one can escape the cycle and reach enlightenment

• Called moksha

• Prayer, rituals, self-denial and rejection of worldly possessions can help achieve this

Hinduism• Belief in dharma

– Dharma: duties you are expected to perform, the ethical way in which you are supposed to behave

• Belief in ahimsa: nonviolence towards all living things

Hindu Symbols• Aum (or Om)

– Represents Brahman, everything that is absolute in the universe ॐ

• Swastika– Represents everything that is

good in the world– Means “it is well” or “may

good prevail”

• Color: Saffron (Represents fire from Brahman)

Buddhism• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama

– Called Buddha– Means “Enlightened One”

– Legend:• Born into luxury, became shocked when he drove

around in his chariot and saw poverty and sickness• Left wife and newborn son to wander around India

at age 29• Lived as hermit for 7 years until finally finding

enlightenment

Buddhism• Related to Hinduism

– Shares belief of:• Karma

– (accumulation of good or bad deeds)• Dharma

– (but in this case is the teachings of Buddha telling you how to act/live)

• Reincarnation– (rebirth)

– Differs: Rejection of caste system

Caste System

The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras. There is another group that is made up of the “untouchables”. Many believe that the groups originated from Brahma, the Hindu God of creation.

Buddhism• Teachings:

– Four Noble Truths:1. The truth of suffering (dukkha)

• All people suffer and know sadness and sorrow 2. The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya)

• People suffer because of their desires 3. The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha)

• Suffering could end by elimination desires 4. The truth of the path frees us from suffering (magga)

• By following the Eightfold Path one could eliminate desires

Buddhism• Eightfold Path

1) Know truth2) Resist evil3) Say nothing to hurt others4) Respect life5) Work for the good of others6) Free your mind from evil7) Control your thoughts8) Practice meditation

Buddhism• Purpose: To reach nirvana (enlightenment)

• More philosophy than religion, but can be considered both or either

• The Middle Way is important– Away from extremes– Moderation

Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism

Right-coiled White Conch

Precious Umbrella

Victory Banner

Golden Fish

Dharma Wheel

Auspicious Drawing

Lotus Flower

Vase of Treasure

Color Symbolism in Buddhism

• Blue = coolness, infinity• Black = hate, primordial darkness• White = knowledge, purity• Red = sacred blood, life• Green = balance, harmony• Yellow = earth, renunciation

Diffusion of Buddhism• The first “great missionary faith”

• Spread into Afghanistan by A.D. 1

• Spread into China during mid 1st century A.D.

• Reached Japan and Korea by A.D. 500

Diffusion of Buddhism

• Ashoka was the first ruler to send out Buddhist missions to convert other nations, helping the religion spread

Diffusion of Buddhism

Diffusion of Buddhism• In some places, Buddhism merged with

local traditions

– Examples:• Zen Buddhism in Japan

• Pure Land and Chan Buddhism in China

• Buddhism in Vietnam

Buddhism Throughout Asia

Japan

Buddhism Throughout Asia

China

Buddhism Throughout

Asia

Vietnam

Buddhism Throughout Asia

Afghanistan

Thailand

Ancient ChinaPURPOSE OF SECTION:

• Describe the development of Chinese civilization under the Zhou and Qin.

Ancient China• Early societies in China developed along the

Yangtze and Huang He (Yellow River)– It is the 3rd longest river in the world– People lived here for 27,000 years

Shang China (1700B.C. – 1100 B.C.)

• The Shang was the first Chinese dynasty• Agrarian

– Did not use plows– Only used wooden and stone tools

• First Chinese dynasty with written language• Used oracle bones

Oracle Bones• Sometimes called dragon bones• Used to predict the future

– Process:• A question was written on the bone.• The bone was fired and a T shaped crack

appeared• The crack was interpreted• The interpretation was then written on the bone.• After the predicted event occurred, the date of the

occurrence was also written on the bone.

Oracle Bone

Shang Religion• The Shang religion had two main components:

– Worship of Shang Ti• Supreme god who ruled over lesser gods and the forces

of the earth (rain, wind, sun)– Ancestor Worship

• One act of worship was human sacrifice– When a king died, often hundreds of servants would

be sacrificed with him– For less important events, like the opening of a

temple, smaller numbers would be sacrificed

Shang China (1700B.C. – 1100 B.C.)

• Shang capital was at Zhengzhou

– It had walls 30 feet high, 65 feet wide and over 4 miles long!

Zhou China (1100 B.C. – 250 B.C.)

• Nomadic tribe that defeated the Shang dynasty

• Established the idea of the “Mandate of Heaven” to validate their rule– Mandate of Heaven: Authority granted by

heaven to deserving rulers

Zhou China (1100 B.C. – 250 B.C.)

• Feudal system of government– Land given to vassals in return for loyalty, etc

• Cities divided into two parts:– One for Zhou citizens– One for Shang persons

Zhou China (1100 B.C. – 250 B.C.)

• Map of Zhou China at it’s greatest extent

“Warring States Period” (475 B.C. – 221 B.C.)

• The last portion of the Zhou dynasty is called the Warring States Period

– This is because many large states in China were fighting to control the whole empire

“Warring States Period” (475 B.C. – 221 B.C.)

• The Warring States Period is considered the Golden Age of Chinese Philosophy– Confucianism was developed

during this time

– Taoism was developed during this time

– Legalism was developed during this time

Confucianism• Founded by Kongfuzi (551-479 B.C.)

– (anglicized as Confucius)

• Taught that social harmony and good government would return to China if people lived ethically

• Writings were collected and called the Analects

Taoism• Based on teachings of Laozi

– Called Tao Te Ching

• Emphasizes harmony of individual with nature– The “tao” – universal force that guides all things

Legalism• Developed from Hanfeizi

• Humans are evil by nature and need a strict law

• Used to support strict laws and harsh punishments

Qin China (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.)• China was unified by Qin Shihuangdi

– Name means “First Emperor”• Utilized cavalry to conquer their enemies• Divided his empire into 36 military districts

– Each had a civil governor, a military commander, and an imperial inspector

– Each was subdivided into counties

Qin China (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.)• Legalist form of government

• Qin Shihuangdi destroyed the power of the nobles– All nobility were removed from their positions

and sent to live in the capital– This prevented local leaders from becoming

strong enough to challenge the Emperor

Qin China (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.)• 213 B.C. - Afraid of rebellion from the

literate, Qin Shihuangdi burned thousands of books relating to philosophy and government

• Peasants hated Qin Shihuangdi for his forced-labor gangs which constructed immense public works

End of Qin China• Qin Shihuangdi died in 210 B.C. and was

succeeded by his son

– Son was weak leader

– Hatred for Qin boiled over into rebellion in 206 B.C.

Qin China• The greatest extent of Qin territory

Achievements of the Qin• Standardized the Chinese language

• Standardized system of measurements and currency

• Set up a unified law code for China

• We get the modern day name for China from the Qin

Qin China (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.)• Famous for the Terracotta Army

Qin China (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.)• Connected walls built

along the northern border of China to form the Great Wall

– It stretched 4,000 miles

ConfucianismPURPOSE OF SECTION:

• Explain the impact of Confucianism on Chinese culture; include the examination system, the Mandate of Heaven, the status of peasants, the status of merchants, and the patriarchal family, and explain diffusion to Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea.

Confucianism• Founded by Kongfuzi (551-479 B.C.)

– (anglicized as Confucius)

• Taught that social harmony and good government would return to China if people lived ethically

• Writings were collected and called the Analects

Confucianism• Stressed the importance of five relationships:

– Ruler & subject

– Parent & child• Filial piety: children respecting their parents

– Husband & wife

– Old & young

– Friend & friend

Confucianism & Government• Confucius taught that teaching ethics to

people would allow them police each other

• Confucius believed in a meritocracy– That means that jobs are given to the most

qualified, not just to those of noble birth

Examination System• System for developing the Chinese

bureaucracy– The most qualified candidates would be hired– This would be determined by written

examinations in Confucian writings and teachings

– Eventually, almost all people in China could take these exams and work for the government

• Why was it beneficial to work for the government?

Mandate of Heaven• Authority granted by heaven to deserving

rulers– If rulers were just and fair, heaven would not

allow them to be overthrown– If rulers were immoral, they would be

overthrown

• What consequences does this have?

Social Classes in Chinese Society

• Landowners

• Peasants

• Merchants

Status of Landowners in Chinese culture

• Wealthy

• Powerful – formed first bureaucracies

Status of Peasants in Chinese culture

• ≈ 90% of all the people

• Most lived in villages and walked to fields surrounding their villages

• Paid taxes of produce and livestock and had to work one month a year on public works projects (roads, walls, etc.)

• Could be drafted into the army

Status of Merchants in Chinese culture

• Includes: shopkeepers, traders, & bankers

• Generally not allowed to take civil service examinations

• Confucianism said pursuit of profit = bad

Patriarchal Family• Family members were not equals

• Top – oldest male (father), followed by males in chronological order, then females

• Role of the Father– Determined education, career and marriages for his

children– Controlled finances– Rewarded or punished as he saw fit

• Structured, each member had specific duties