ReligionReligion & & societysociety in in World HistoryWorld HistoryMr. BauerMr. Bauer

Can you Identify these Symbols with a Can you Identify these Symbols with a religious affiliation?religious affiliation?

= ________________?

= _______________?

= _______________?

= _______________?

= _______________?

= _______________?

= _______________?

= _______________?

= _______________?

= _______________?

Buddhism

Confucianism

Hinduism

Jainism

Judaism

Shintoism

Islam

Taoism

Christianity

Sikhism

Animistic BeliefsAnimistic Beliefs Animism is the belief that nature is alive with spirits Animism is the belief that nature is alive with spirits

that have feelings and can be communicated with. It that have feelings and can be communicated with. It is often believed that the earth itself is alive and has is often believed that the earth itself is alive and has anima (spirit). As a result almost any animal one can anima (spirit). As a result almost any animal one can think of has been worshiped. Mountains, trees, and think of has been worshiped. Mountains, trees, and heavenly bodies have also been worshiped.heavenly bodies have also been worshiped.

Hinduism Hinduism Religious-Social-Political ImplicationsReligious-Social-Political Implications

•Hinduism teaches of God as being beyond form and quality. (many interpretations) -This ultimate reality or “divine essence” is referred to as BRAHMAN.

•This divine essence 'appears' as the physical universe and also as all living things -Therefore all are sacred as they represent an image of God =“Ahimsa” (nonviolence)• Hindus greet one another with the phrase, “namaste” recognizing this “oneness.” •The name given to God as our true self is 'Atman'. •Some adherents believe in the “dualistic” view of existence where they strive through fulfillment of dharma within one’s caste to attempt to break the cycle of karma. (Now read your handout on Dharma and the Caste System)

Adjoining of Atman w/ Brahman=

liberation of karma = “Moksha”(release)= A belief in Reincarnation, Ahimsa, Karma, and Dharma as a “way of life”

= Brahmin priests having elevated status over Khsatriya rulers / warriors

“One’s own dharma, performed imperfectly, is better than another’s dharma well performed. Destruction in one’s own dharma is better, for to perform another’s dharma leads to danger.” (Bg. 3.35)

-Lord Krishna to Arjuna

in the Bhagavad Gita

Dharma

The Indian-Hindu Caste The Indian-Hindu Caste SystemSystem

Nobody Nobody (No Hindu concept of a Deified (No Hindu concept of a Deified

Ruler)Ruler)

Brahmin Priests Brahmin Priests (Hindu Religion Reigns Above all (Hindu Religion Reigns Above all

else!)else!)

Kshatriya Kings, Warriors Kshatriya Kings, Warriors (Regional Political rulers)(Regional Political rulers)

Vaisya Merchants, Farmers, Artisans Vaisya Merchants, Farmers, Artisans

Shudra Servants, Tenant Farmers Shudra Servants, Tenant Farmers

Untouchables Untouchables (unclean laborers)(unclean laborers)

This is a rigid religious-based hierarchy with Social-Political implicationsconcerning: •Karma•Dharma•reincarnation

Buddhism !…Buddhism !…as a reaction to Hinduism as a reaction to Hinduism

1.1. Life is sufferingLife is suffering2.2. Suffering is caused by desire (Suffering is caused by desire (TahnaTahna))3.3. To end suffering, end desireTo end suffering, end desire4.4. To end desire, follow the Buddha = To end desire, follow the Buddha = The The

Eightfold PathEightfold Path

• NirvanaNirvana (release)can be attained through (release)can be attained through right actions, intentions, meditation and right actions, intentions, meditation and the discipline of one’s mind.the discipline of one’s mind.

• No creator gods, just the pursuit of No creator gods, just the pursuit of enlightenmentenlightenment

• Everything is transient, life is an illusionEverything is transient, life is an illusion• One must discover individual way to One must discover individual way to

NirvanaNirvana• ““MettaMetta,” benevolence, and “,” benevolence, and “DharmaDharma,” ,”

(LAW of proper behavior through the (LAW of proper behavior through the Buddha’s teachings and actions)Buddha’s teachings and actions)

• Which groups would find Which groups would find Buddhism so appealing? Why? Buddhism so appealing? Why? Impact in world history?.....Impact in world history?.....

Living in a Hindu Kshatriya Caste family, Siddhartha (6th century BCE) still felt a need to discover the truth to life….

Mandate of HeavenMandate of Heaven: : Rise and Fall of Political Dynasties in Chinese Rise and Fall of Political Dynasties in Chinese HistoryHistory1029 B.C.E. – 1912 C.E.1029 B.C.E. – 1912 C.E.

Mandate of Heaven Justified moral and ethical rule

of Chinese Emperor from Tian (heaven)

“Loss of Mandate”Society falls into

social, economic, and political disorder

or warring perioddue to moral and ethical decay

of the Emperor’s rule

Emergence of New Emperor

/ Dynastic Cycle

Fundamental Principles of ConfucianismThese are the principles and ethics by which a person should live by, according to Confucius (5 th century BCE). If a person

inculcates these principles he will be worthy of being called 'the ideal man' or “junzi”.

Jen: The most important of all principles. It means being kind and humane to your fellow beings. It is about helping out others -

benevolence.

Li: The principle of self-restraint and sense of propriety that should be inculcated in a person – humility. A person should always

act in a honorable way and respect his elders, his ancestors and his family members (Filial Piety). It includes following of all the social etiquettes and mannerisms – rites.

Hsiao: Hsiao is love for the immediate family and then society. It's the principle of love of parents for their children and of children for

their parents. If every family is united and happy, the society will prosper.

Yi: The principle of righteousness. It is upholding what is right above everything else and sacrificing oneself for it, if need be.

Shu: reciprocity; doing onto others….

Chung:

Loyalty to one's family and to one's country. Loyalty is a quality which binds a country strongly together.

The Five RelationshipsConfucius specified the five important relationships that an individual is a part of. If he maintained each of those relationships

dutifully, the society will stabilize and prosper automatically.

Ruler to subject Father to son

Husband to wife Older brother to younger brother

Friend to friend

Confucian PhilosophyConfucian Philosophy and the Greater and the Greater SocietySociety

Scholar Gentry &

Inherited Aristocracy

Farmers

Artisans

Merchants

•Question: Where is the Emperor in society?•With the exception of the top, this pyramid does not necessarily reflect hierarchy, and is sometimes re-arranged by various scholars.•Scholars are highly revered in a Confucianist society due to the admiration for EDUCATION and the learned “Gentleman” (merited status). The aristocracy were born into their status.•Farmers by NO MEANS were more influential then the merchant class. They simply epitomize the Confucianist qualities of humility and obligation towards the welfare of the state, rather then seeking profit as merchants do.

“Mean People”

Not so much a religion, as aSocio-political system of principles and ethics!

“Mandarins”