Bellringer List three facts about Hinduism Agenda 1

Bellringer • List three facts about Hinduism

Agenda 1. Hinduism Review 2. Indian Empires 3. Buddhism worksheet

Objectives Students will be able to… 30. Summarize the major features of the Mauryan and Gupta Empires. 31. Describe the major beliefs and traditions of Buddhism.

Aryan Kingdoms • Aryan kingdoms dominated India beginning around 1000 BCE • No single, unified leader • Run over by Alexander the Great (we’ll talk about him later)

Objective #30 Split GRAPES • Draw a line down the center of the GRAPES chart to divide it in two – On the left side, write Mauryan Empire – On the right side, write Gupta Empire • At the bottom – Left: write “ 321 BCE to 232 BCE” – Right: write “ 320 CE to 500’s CE”

Mauryan Empire

Geography What ocean surrounds India?

Geography What mountain range is shown?

Geography What river valley was to the east?

Geography What empire was to the west?

Geography

Geography • Mauryan Empire united Indian subcontinent –Ganges and Indus Rivers –Up to the Himalaya and Hindu. Kush Mountains

Religion • Mainly Hinduism • Ashoka (a king) spread Buddhism through missionaries

Achievements • Under Chandragupta –United India for the first time –Strong bureaucracy • Under Ashoka –Religious tolerance –Built roads, free hospitals, hotels

Political • Chandragupta conquered the empire and established a dynasty – Bureaucracy helped run the government • Ashoka – Became a non-violent Buddhist, used the government to care for his people rather than gain wealth or power

Asoka says: • All men are my children. What I desire for my own children, and I desire their welfare and happiness both in this world and the next, that I desire for all men. You do not understand to what extent I desire this, and if some of you do understand, you do not understand the full extent of my desire.

More Political • People liked Ashoka –Good ruler, but weakened the government –No strong ruler followed him –Empire fell apart

Economic • Very heavy taxes to pay for the army and public works • Political centralization opens India to trade with China and Persia

Social • See Hinduism

A Period of Turmoil • 500 years without a strong leader • Turmoil, noun –A state or condition of extreme confusion or commotion • Without any damage or injury, for 30 seconds, demonstrate turmoil

Gupta Empire

Geography

Religion • Hinduism

Achievements • The Golden Age of India Gupta = Golden! • Trade by land sea, east and west • Develop astronomy, advanced math (the numbers you use), calendar • Develop banking, incredible amounts of wealth • Helps spread culture, art, literature

Political • Gupta kings used marriage (and an army) to create an empire • Last strong king declines in 415 CE, empire starts to collapse • In the 500 s CE, invaders “without settled homes” attack India

Economic • Very rich empire (but only the kings got rich) • Invented banking • LOTS of trade

Social • See Hinduism

Objective #31 Buddhism

Hinduism’s Problems • Some people did not like –Inequality –Inaccessibility (need priests to interact with gods for you)

The Solution • A new faith, started by a Hindu prince who meditated on the world’s problems • Siddhartha Gautama grew up sheltered from the world. When he left his palace, he was shocked by what he saw – Became the founder of Buddhism

Buddha • Siddhartha left his life in a palace to seek wisdom • No one he met had any • So he meditated under a tree until he finally discovered the truth about the world – He became known as the Buddha: awakened or enlightened one

Four Noble Truths 1. To live is to suffer 2. Suffering is caused by desire 3. To end suffering, you must get rid of all desires 4. To do so, follow the Eightfold Path to enlightenment

Get on the path! • Tear a sheet of paper into 8 squares • On four of the squares, write down things that cause you to suffer • On four of the squares, write down things that you desire • Crumble each square into a ball

Get on the path! • Rid yourself of your suffering and desires! • Throw them at the recycling bin!

Nirvana • Buddha and his followers believed he had achieved enlightenment, what they called nirvana • Enlightenment can be achieved by acting, thinking, and believing in the proper way • Nirvana ends your soul’s reincarnation

Karma • Buddhists believe in karma, much like Hindus • Instead of determining caste, karma provides your reincarnated self with desirable qualities (wealth, beauty, influence, etc. ) • Karma is based on your intentions, not just your actions

Solving Problems • Hinduism has inequality – Buddhism rejects the caste system. All Buddhists belong to the religious community (sangha) • Hinduism is inaccessible, requires priests – Buddhism is very personal, individual meditation and self-improvement – Can reach nirvana in a single lifetime

About Buddha • Buddha is not a god! “Buddha” is a title granted to Siddhartha Gautama • Fat Buddha, and Buddha worship, is a later Chinese development

Religious Spread

HW