Bell Work How can religion dictate cultural life in a place?
1 Hinduism grew out of many varied beliefs of different peoples who settled in India. It has many gods and goddesses and many forms of worship. Despite this diversity, all Hindus share certain basic beliefs: All the universe is part of the unchanging, all-powerful spiritual force called brahman. The ultimate goal of existence is to achieve moksha, or union with brahman. To achieve moksha, people must free themselves from selfish desires and satisfy one s duties (DHARMA). One must obey the law of KARMA. Reincarnation allows people to continue working toward moksha through several lifetimes. Hindu teachings were recorded over hundreds of years in sacred texts called the Vedas.
Despite the complexity of the religion, all Hindus have the same goal and core beliefs. One force, brahman, underlies everything. The goal of life is to achieve moksha, or union with brahman. Every person has an atman, or essential self, and experiences reincarnation. Karma holds that our actions affect our fate in the next life.
Hindus believe in dharma, the religious and moral duties of the person. Hindus worship many gods. The most important are: Brahma, the Creator Vishnu, the Preserver Shiva, the Destroyer
A complex system of castes emerged. This system was closely linked to Hindu beliefs. Castes maintained social order and gave people a sense of identity, though life was very hard for those in the lowest rung. People believed karma determined their caste.
1 The Teachings of the Buddha Originally known as Siddhartha Gautama Follow the Four Noble Truths! The only cure for suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path meaning right speech, right thought, right action, etc. A middle road between a life devoted to pleasure and a life of harsh self-denial is best. It is important to live a moral life and enlightenment is achieved through meditation. The ultimate goal is nirvana, union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth.
The Four Noble Truths All life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow. The cause of suffering is desire. The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire. The way to overcome desire is to follow the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path
The Maurya 1 Empire Maurya rulers created a strong central government. These rulers supervised the building of roads and harbors. collected taxes and managed state-owned factories. created royal courts. Created a secret police force to report on corruption, crime, and dissent. King Asoka made quite an impact on India first as a conqueror and then spreading Buddhism. His laws were posted on rock pillars known as rock edicts and scattered around the cities.
Powerful Empires of India The Maurya and Gupta Dynasties Most of India was ruled by Rajahs and fought over by rival kingdoms, but in 321 BC and 320 AD TWO empires unified much of India! Maurya Dynasty 321-185 BC Described by Megasthenes (Greek Ambassador) as impressive. Asoka is its most notable ruler. He adopted Buddhism, sent out missionaries (to spread it) and erected Rock Edicts or royal sayings to inspire his subjects. * 500 years passed without unification. War and invasion was common. Gupta Dynasty 320 540 AD Described by Faxian (visiting Chinese Buddhist monk) as very advanced and mild rulers. Agricultural and craftsman prosperity led to a Golden Age. Monasteries were also universities where extreme learning took place. Music, painting, sculpture, dance, flourished.
1 The Golden Age of the Guptas LEARNING Scholars taught many subjects at Hindu and Buddhist schools. MEDICINE Doctors treated illnesses with herbs, performed surgery, set broken bones, and vaccinated against smallpox. MATHEMATICS Mathematicians invented system of numbers we use today and developed decimal system and concept of zero. ARCHITECTURE CARVING AND PAINTING Builders designed magnificent stone temples and domeshaped shrines called stupas. Artists painted murals, or wall paintings and created carvings telling the story of the life of the Buddha. LITERATURE Writers collected and recorded fables and folk tales. Kalidasa wrote classical plays. Example: Shakuntala
1 he Caste System and Daily Life Caste rules governed every aspect of life where people lived, what they ate, how they dressed, and what work they did. Life for the lowest ranking caste, the Untouchables, was harsh and restricted. People knew that they could not change their status in this life. However, they believed that they could reach a higher state in a future life by fulfilling the duties of their present caste. Each caste had its own leaders and its own occupation, and caste members cooperated to help one another.
1 amily Life The ideal was the joint family, in which extended family all lived under one roof. The family was patriarchal. The father or oldest male had absolute authority. Family wishes came before individual wishes. Early on, children learned family duties, such as obedience of caste rules. Parents had a duty to arrange good marriages for their children, based on caste and family interests. The status and freedom of women decreased over time. A woman s duties were to marry, obey her husband, and raise children. Extreme case: Sati
1 Village Life ECONOMICS Villages were self-sufficient, producing most of the food and goods needed. Sometimes villagers traded at regional markets. POLITICS Each village ran its own affairs, facing little interference as long as it paid its share of taxes. A village headman and council of elders made decisions.
1 Confucius developed a philosophy, or system of ideas, that was concerned with world goals, especially how to ensure social order and good government. His ideas included: Harmony results when people accept their place in society. He put forth the Five Relationships. Ex. Parent to Child Everyone has duties and responsibilities. Filial piety, or respect for parents, is the most important duty. A ruler has the responsibility to provide good government. In people would be respectful and loyal subjects. return, the Government leaders and officials should be well educated.
egalism 1 versus Daoism Legalism and Daoism promoted very different views of government. LEGALISM DAOISM The only way to achieve order is to pass strict laws and impose harsh punishments on lawbreakers. The ruler alone possesses power. Qin Dynasty s Method People by nature are evil. Government is unnatural and is the cause of many problems. The best government is the one that governs the least. Laozi/Lao-tzu Follow the way = Dao Natural way or least resistance.
1 uddhism in China Buddhism became popular among the Chinese, especially in times of crisis. It was appealing because it promised an escape from suffering. offered hope of eternal happiness. presented Buddha as a compassionate, merciful god. taught that anyone could gain salvation through prayer, good works, and devotion.
1 How did Shi Huangdi unite China? He replaced feudal states with military districts governed by loyal officials. He sent spies to report on local officials. He forced noble families to live in his capital so he could monitor them. He jailed, tortured, and killed those who opposed his rule. He had all books of philosophy and literature burned. He standardized weights and measures. He created uniformity in Chinese writing. He strengthened the transportation system. He ordered the building of the Great Wall.
1 The Han Rulers Strengthen China! ECONOMY 1. They improved canals and roads. 2. They set up granaries across the empire. 3. They imposed government monopoly on iron and salt. 4. They opened up the Silk Road, a trade route linking China and the West. GOVERNMENT They made Confucianism the official belief of the state. They relied on welleducated scholars to run the government. They used a civil service exam to find the most qualified officials.
he Han 1 Golden Age The People of Han. SCIENCE Wrote texts on chemistry, zoology, and botany. Measured movements of stars and planets. Invented seismograph to measure earthquakes. TECHNOLOGY Made paper out of wood pulp. Pioneered advanced methods of shipbuilding. Invented the rudder, fishing reels, wheelbarrows, and suspension bridges. MEDICINE Diagnosed diseases. Used herbal remedies and other drugs for treatments. Developed anesthetics. Explored uses of acupuncture. THE ARTS Built grand temples and palaces. Produced jade and ivory carvings and ceramic figures. Improved bronze working and silk making techniques.