Hinduism and Buddhism Caste System The caste system

Hinduism and Buddhism

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 Purusha, a cosmic spirit or Brahman the universal being- each caste making up a portion of the body.

Hinduism • National religion of India � • Based on variety of beliefs and practices • Can be viewed as henotheistic: recognize existence of many gods but believe in only one supreme god. (this is a form of polytheism)

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

Hinduism 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 – 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. Your role is based on your caste. • Belief in ahimsa: nonviolence towards all living things

� Hindu Symbols • Aum (or Om) – Represents Brahman, everything that is absolute in the universe • 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

Buddhism • Teachings: – Four Noble Truths: 1. The truth of suffering (dukkha) • All people suffer and know sadness and sorrow 1. The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya) • People suffer because of their desires

Buddhism • Teachings: – Four Noble Truths: 3. The truth of the end of suffering (nirodha) • 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 truth 2)Resist evil 3)Say nothing to hurt others 4)Respect life 5)Work for the good of others 6)Free your mind from evil 7)Control your thoughts 8)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

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

What is Diffusion? • the spreading of something more widely

Diffusion of Buddhism • The first “great missionary faith” • Spread into Afghanistan by 1 A. D. • Spread into China between 28 -75 A. D. • Reached Japan and Korea by 500 A. D.

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

Diffusion of Buddhism • In some places, Buddhism merged with local traditions – Examples: • Zen Buddhism in Japan • Pure Land Chan Buddhism in China • Buddhism in Vietnam

Buddhism Throughout Asia Japan

Buddhism Throughout Asia China

Buddhism Throughout Asia Vietnam

Buddhism Throughout Asia Thailand Afghanistan

Ancient China • What was the first Chinese Dynasty?

Ancient China • Early societies in China developed along the Yangtze and Huang He (Yellow River) – It is the 3 rd longest river in the world – People lived here for 27, 000 years

Shang China (1700 B. C. – 1100 B. C. ) • The Shang was the first Chinese dynasty • Agrarian – Did not use plows – Only used wooden and stone hand tools • First Chinese group with written language • Used oracle bones

Shang China (1700 B. C. – 1100 B. C. ) • Shang capital was at Zhengzhou – It had walls 30 feet high, 65 feet wide and over 4 miles long!

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

Shang Religion • Another 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

What is the Mandate of Heaven?

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 and get rid of the Shang – Mandate of Heaven: Authority to rule was granted by heaven (universal powers) 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

Map of Zhou China at its 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, Taoism, and 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 Shi Huangdi – Name means “First Emperor” • Utilized cavalry to conquer his enemies

Qin China (221 B. C. – 206 B. C. ) • 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 Shi Huangdi 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 burned thousands of books relating to philosophy and government • Peasants hated Qin for his forced-labor gangs which constructed immense public works

End of Qin China • Qin Shi Huangdi 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 • Over 8000 terracotta soldiers who were to protect the emperor in the afterlife

Qin China (221 B. C. – 206 B. C. ) • Connected walls built along the northern border of China to form the Great Wall - a precursor to the current Great Wall

https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=m. P 5 p 4 Qbv. Ptc

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 & Government • Confucius taught that teaching ethics to people would allow them police each other What does that mean? ? ?

Confucianism & Government • Confucius believed in a meritocracy – That means that jobs are given to the most qualified, not just to those of noble birth

Examination System • This was a system for developing the Chinese bureaucracy – a bureaucracy is a system where government departments are managed by state officials rather than elected officials.

Examination System • How did this system do that? – 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 if they were qualified Why was it beneficial to work for the government?

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

Confucianism • Stressed the importance of five relationships: – Ruler & subject – Parent & child • Filial piety: children respecting their parents – Husband & wife – Old & young – Friend & friend

Patriarchal Family • Family members were not equals • Top – oldest male (father), followed by males in chronological order, then females

Patriarchal Family • 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