Trade Material and Men Empires of Trade Asia

Trade, Material and Men Empires of Trade Asia

India

India- Pre Europe Self Sufficient Rural Economy Citizens were Hindu and Muslim Had their share of civil wars Had a king who ruled. Taj Mahal was constructed from 1628 -1658 to commemorate the love of Shah Jehan’s wife who died in 1631

Hinduism

Hinduism is the world's oldest extant religion, with a billion followers, which makes it the world's third largest religion. Hinduism is a conglomeration of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas and practices that originated in India, characterized by the belief in reincarnation, one absolute being of multiple manifestations, the law of cause and effect, following the path of righteousness, and the desire for liberation from the cycle of births and deaths. This information and the information on the following slides comes from http: //hinduism. about. com/od/basics/p/hinduismbasics. htm

How is Hinduism unique from other religions? : Hinduism cannot be neatly slotted into any particular belief system. Unlike other religions, Hinduism is a way of life, a Dharma, that is, the law that governs all action. It has its own beliefs, traditions, advanced system of ethics, meaningful rituals, philosophy and theology. The religious tradition of Hinduism is solely responsible for the creation of such original concepts and practices as Yoga, Ayurveda, Vastu, Jyotish, Yajna, Puja, Tantra, Vedanta, Karma, etc.

What are the basic tenets of Hinduism? : There is no “one Hinduism”, and so it lacks any unified system of beliefs and ideas. Hinduism is a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions, in which the prominent themes include: • Dharma (ethics and duties) • Samsara (rebirth) • Karma (right action) • Moksha (liberation from the cycle of Samsara) It also believes in truth, honesty, non-violence, celibacy, cleanliness, contentment, prayers, austerity, perseverance, penance, and pious company.

What are the key Hindu scriptures? The basic scriptures of Hinduism, which is collectively referred to as "Shastras", are essentially a collection of spiritual laws discovered by different saints and sages at different points in its long history. The Two types of sacred writings comprise the Hindu scriptures: "Shruti" (heard) and "Smriti" (memorized). They were passed on from generation to generation orally for centuries before they were written down mostly in the Sanskrit language. The major and most popular Hindu texts include the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

What are the major Hindu deities? : Hinduism believes that there is only one supreme Absolute called "Brahman". However, it does not advocate the worship of any one particular deity. The gods and goddesses of Hinduism amount to thousands or even millions, all representing the many aspects of Brahman. Therefore, this faith is characterized by the multiplicity of deities. The most fundamental of Hindu deities is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - creator, preserver and destroyer respectively. Hindus also worship spirits, trees, animals and even planets.

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva seated on lotuses with their consorts, ca 1770

Who is a Hindu and how to become one? : A Hindu is an individual who accepts and lives by the religious guidance of the Vedic scriptures. While the teachings of the Hindu tradition do not require that you have a religious affiliation to Hinduism in order to receive its inner teachings, it can be very helpful to formally become a Hindu because it provides one a formal connection to the “world's oldest continually existing enlightenment tradition. "

Hinduism Key Terms Atman-self Brahma- holy power Karma- a causation or destiny by which actions of individuals receive their appropriate reward both in the present life and subsequent incarnations

Caste System 4 levels- Brahim, Kshartriya, Vaishya, and Shudra with a 5 th level known as the Untouchables

Europeans Arrive to India Portuguese came first in search of spices such as cloves Other European countries followed and formed companies such as the Dutch East India Company and the British East India Company The British were the most influential and had a great affect on the East Indian as did the East Indians on them

Spices • Chilies • Cilantro (Hara Dhaniya) • Garam Masala • Garlic (Lassan) • Ginger (Adrak) • Mint (Pudina) • Paprika powder • Peppercorns (Kali Mirchi) • Turmeric (Haldi) • Tamarind (Amli) Curries which are made from a blend of many spices. For example the spices like pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, chilies etc. , comes under major category. The important minor spices grown in India are ajowan, aniseed, caraway, celery, coriander, cumin, dill seed, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, onion, saffron, vanilla etc.

Life in India

Life in India Incorporating the colonial in British upper-class life. The example of an Indian servant girl in the household of Robert Clive, director of the English East India Company and the victor over the Mughal army in the Battle of Plassey in 1757. This portrait is by the famous English portraitist, Joshua Reynolds, and was created around 1765, after Clive's victory in India.

Members of the lowest caste

Questions to Ponder How did Indian history, political organization, and religion make it difficult for Europeans and Indians to relate to and understand each other? How did the early trading relations between the Portuguese and the Indians benefit both groups? Why do you think the Caste system lasted so long in India?

East Asia China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam

Religion What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a religion to about 300 million people around the world. The word comes from 'budhi', 'to awaken'. It has its origins about 2, 500 years ago when Siddhartha Gotama, known as the Buddha, was himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35.

Buddhism Is Buddhism a Religion? To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or 'way of life'. It is a philosophy because philosophy 'means love of wisdom' and the Buddhist path can be summed up as: (1) to lead a moral life, (2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and (3) to develop wisdom and understanding. How Can Buddhism Help Me? Buddhism explains a purpose to life, it explains apparent injustice and inequality around the world, and it provides a code of practice or way of life that leads to true happiness.

Buddhism- Q&A Who Was the Buddha? Siddhartha Gotama was born into a royal family in Lumbini, now located in Nepal, in 563 BC. At 29, he realised that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored the different teachings religions and philosophies of the day, to find the key to human happiness. After six years of study and meditation he finally found 'the middle path' and was enlightened. After enlightenment, the Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching the principles of Buddhism — called the Dhamma, or Truth — until his death at the age of 80. Was the Buddha a God? He was not, nor did he claim to be. He was a man who taught a path to enlightenment from his own experience. Do Buddhists Worship Idols? Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, not in worship, nor to ask for favours. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. Bowing to the statue is an expression of gratitude for the teaching.

Buddha Q&A What did the Buddha Teach? The Buddha taught many things, but the basic concepts in Buddhism can be summed up by the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. What is the First Noble Truth? The first truth is that life is suffering i. e. , life includes pain, getting old, disease, and ultimately death. We also endure psychological suffering like loneliness frustration, fear, embarrassment, disappointment and anger. This is an irrefutable fact that cannot be denied. It is realistic rather than pessimistic because pessimism is expecting things to be bad. lnstead, Buddhism explains how suffering can be avoided and how we can be truly happy. What is the Second Noble Truth? The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and aversion. We will suffer if we expect other people to conform to our expectation, if we want others to like us, if we do not get something we want, etc. In other words, getting what you want does not guarantee happiness. Rather than constantly struggling to get what you want, try to modify your wanting. Wanting deprives us of contentment and happiness. A lifetime of wanting and craving and especially the craving to continue to exist, creates a powerful energy which causes the individual to be born. So craving leads to physical suffering because it causes us to be reborn. What is the Third Noble Truth? The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained; that true happiness and contentment are possible. lf we give up useless craving and learn to live each day at a time (not dwelling in the past or the imagined future) then we can become happy and free. We then have more time and energy to help others. This is Nirvana. What is the Fourth Noble Truth? The fourth truth is that the Noble 8 -fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering.

Buddha Q&A What is the Noble 8 -Fold Path? In summary, the Noble 8 -fold Path is being moral (through what we say, do and our livelihood), focussing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths and by developing compassion for others. • What are the 5 Precepts? The moral code within Buddhism is the precepts, of which the main five are: not to take the life of anything living, not to take anything not freely given, to abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence, to refrain from untrue speech, and to avoid intoxication, that is, losing mindfulness.

Buddha Q&A What is Karma? Karma is the law that every cause has an effect, i. e. , our actions have results. This simple law explains a number of things: inequality in the world, why some are born handicapped and some gifted, why some live only a short life. Karma underlines the importance of all individuals being responsible for their past and present actions. How can we test the karmic effect of our actions? The answer is summed up by looking at (1) the intention behind the action, (2) effects of the action on oneself, and (3) the effects on others. What is Wisdom? Buddhism teaches that wisdom should be developed with compassion. At one extreme, you could be a goodhearted fool and at the other extreme, you could attain knowledge without any emotion. Buddhism uses the middle path to develop both. The highest wisdom is seeing that in reality, all phenomena are incomplete, impermanent and do no constitute a fixed entity. True wisdom is not simply believing what we are told but instead experiencing and understanding truth and reality. Wisdom requires an open, objective, unbigoted mind. The Buddhist path requires courage, patience, flexibility and intelligence.

Buddha Q&A What is Compassion? Compassion includes qualities of sharing, readiness to give comfort, sympathy, concern, caring. In Buddhism, we can really understand others, when we can really understand ourselves, through wisdom. • How do I Become a Buddhist? Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by anyone. Buddhism teaches that the solutions to our problems are within ourselves not outside. The Buddha asked all his followers not to take his word as true, but rather to test the teachings for themselves. ln this way, each person decides for themselves and takes responsibility for their own actions and understanding. This makes Buddhism less of a fixed package of beliefs which is to be accepted in its entirety, and more of a teaching which each person learns and uses in their own way. From http: //www. buddhanet. net/e-learning/5 minbud. htm

Religion Confucianism Confucian Belief " The fundamental concern of the Confucian tradition is learning to be human. " --Tu Wei-ming.

History of Confucianism K'ung Fu Tzu (commonly pronounced Confucius in English) was born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu (modern day Shantung Province). He lived during the Chou dynasty, and era known for its moral laxity. Later in life, he wandered through many states of China, giving advice to their rulers. He accumulated a small band of students during this time. The last years of his life were spent back in Lu, where he devoted himself to teaching. His writings deal primarily with individual morality and ethics, and the proper exercise of political power by the rulers. In China, and some other areas in Asia, the social ethics and moral teachings of Confucius are blended with the Taoist communion with nature and Buddhist concepts of the afterlife, to form a set of complementary, peacefully coexistent and ecumenical religions. There approximately 6 million Confucians in the world. About 26, 000 live in North America; almost all of the remainder are found throughout China and the rest of Asia.

Beliefs of Confucianism Confucian ethical teachings include the following values: Li: includes ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc. Hsiao: love within the family: love of parents for their children and of children for their parents Yi: righteousness Xin: honesty and trustworthiness Jen (ren): benevolence, humaneness towards others; the highest Confucian virtue Chung: loyalty to the state, etc.

Practices Confucianism does not contain all of the elements of some other religions, like Christianity and Islam. It is primarily an ethical system to which rituals at important times during one's lifetime have been added. Since the time of the Han dynasty (206 CE) four life passages have been recognized and regulated by Confucian tradition: birth: The T'ai-shen (spirit of the fetus) protects the expectant woman and deals harshly with anyone who harasses the mother to be. A special procedure is followed when the placenta is disposed of. The mother is given a special diet and is allowed rest for a month after delivery. The mother's family of origin supplies all the items required by the baby on the first, fourth and twelfth monthly anniversary of the birth. reaching maturity: This life passage is no longer being celebrated, except in traditional families. It takes the form of a group meal in which the young adult is served chicken

Practices Marriage: This is performed in six stages: Proposal: the couple exchange the eight characters: the year, month, day and hour of each of their births. If any unpropitious event occurs within the brideto-be's family during the next three days, then the woman is believed to have rejected the proposal. Engagement: after the wedding day is chosen, the bride announces the wedding with invitations and a gift of cookies made in the shape of the moon. Dowry: This is carried to the groom's home in a solemn procession. The brideprice is then sent to the bride by the groom's parents. Gifts by the groom to the bride, equal in value to the dowry, are sent to her. Procession: The groom visits the bride's home and brings her back to his place, with much fanfare. Marriage and Reception: The couple recite their vows, toast each other with wine, and then take center stage at a banquet. Morning after: The bride serves breakfast to the groom's parents, who then reciprocate

Practices death: At death, the relatives cry out aloud to inform the neighbors. The family starts mourning and puts on clothes made of a course material. The corpse is washed and placed in a coffin. Mourners bring incense and money to offset the cost of the funeral. Food and significant objects of the deceased are placed into the coffin. A Buddhist or Taoist priest (or even a Christian minister) performs the burial ritual. Friends and family follow the coffin to the cemetery, along with a willow branch which symbolizes the soul of the person who has died. The latter is carried back to the family altar where it is used to "install" the spirit of the deceased. Liturgies are performed on the 7 th, 9 th, 49 th day after the burial and on the first and third anniversaries of the death.

Five Bonds The Five Bonds Ruler to Ruled Father to Son Husband to Wife Elder Brother to Younger Brother Friend to Friend Specific duties were prescribed to each of the participants in these sets of relationships. Such duties were also extended to the dead, where the living stood as sons to their deceased family. This led to the veneration of ancestors. The only relationship where respect for elders wasn't stressed was the Friend to Friend relationship. In all other relationships, high reverence was held for elders.

Filial Piety Filial piety is considered among the greatest of virtues and must be shown towards both the living and the dead (including even remote ancestors). The term "filial" (meaning "of a child") characterizes the respect that a child, originally a son, should show to his parents. This relationship was extended by analogy to a series of five relationships The idea of Filial piety influenced the Chinese legal system: a criminal would be punished more harshly if the culprit had committed the crime against a parent, while fathers often exercised enormous power over their children. A similar differentiation was applied to other relationships.

Relationships are central to Confucianism. Particular duties arise from one's particular situation in relation to others. The individual stands simultaneously in several different relationships with different people: as a junior in relation to parents and elders, and as a senior in relation to younger siblings, students, and others. While juniors are considered in Confucianism to owe their seniors reverence, seniors also have duties of benevolence and concern toward juniors. This theme of mutuality is prevalent in East Asian cultures even to this day. Social harmony—the great goal of Confucianism—therefore results in part from every individual knowing his or her place in the social order, and playing his or her part well. When Duke Jing of Qi asked about government, by which he meant proper administration so as to bring social harmony, Confucius replied: There is government, when the prince is prince, and the minister is minister; when the father is father, and the son is son. (Analects XII, 11, trans. Legge) Mencius says: "When being a child, yearn for and love your parents; when growing mature, yearn for and love your lassie; when having wife and child(ren), yearn for and love your wife and child(ren); when being an official (or a staffer), yearn for and love your sovereign (and/or boss).

Education Government officials were educated in the ideal of Confucian thought. To receive a job in this society, a need to understand this thought was required and examiniations were given.

Overall Religion in the East As there was no monopoly claimed on religion, there were few systematic persecutions or wars of religion in East Asian history.

East Asia prior to Europeans China Great Wall of China had been built China had strong States Had lots of different dynasties with many different rulers, there was fighting among the different countries for domination over land Japan was not unified. There warriorssamurai fought among each other. Their leader- shogun and council- shogunatetried to gain control, but failed.

East Asia prior to Europeans Korea Fought with China Eventually gained freedom from China Vietnam Ruled by china for 10 centuries Eventually gained freedom Expanded its border and turned Cambodia and Loas into tributary states.

Europeans Arrive Portugal Portuguese were the first to arrive, but unlike India were not welcomed. Through warfare, the Portugese gained a port in Goa (1509) which remained in their possession until 1962 Spain In 1542, they sent an expedition from Mexico to colonize the Philippines. It initially failed, but in 1571, they did succeed in taking over Manila which became their major trading centre. Spanish Galleons took silver from Mexico to Manila where it was exchanged for Chinese manufactures such as ceramics, silks, and cottons.

European Arrival Dutch By 1608, Dutch East India had 40 ships and 5, 000 men in India 1629, it defeated the Acech and took control of the main source of pepper Dutch were not particuarly friendly in their dealings In one incident in trading for nutmeg, they were ordered to massacre or enslave 15, 000 people who then replaced by Dutch Planters and their slaves The company also did business within Asia itself.

Asian Response at First Europeans were annoying to them, but their were greater threats to worry about. They did not enjoy the Europeans, but were more powerful than them and were able to deal with them.

Asian Response One emperor did find them a threat in 1567 banned foreign ships from landing at their ports. One port was reopened in Fijian and much trade ensued. Then Japan started to attack China. The end result was Christianity was banned and the dutch were the only ones allowed to deal with the Japanese. Chinese traders and European traders were often at odds with each other.

Religion and Culture English, Dutch, and Portuguese were not interested in conversion, but the Spaniards were all over that and brought Jesuits to Asia in the 1500 s. There were also missionaries of Islam battling for the same population. Islam was more successful as they were already present in the area. Role of women did not benefit from either conversion. Prior to this many women had been shamans and some had even ruled states. After wards, they were subjugated.

Exchange of goods Although most goods were purchased with silver, Europeans brought potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes and chili peppers. Tobacco also came. Europeans were introduced to food products and Chinese ceramics and porcelain.

Education Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit scholar who learned Chinese and studied Confucianism, pointed out many similarities between that and Christianity. He was allowed to move to Beijing and published many books on Western ideals in Chinese. In turn, many books were also published on Chinese ideals for the rest of the world and this influenced many Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire.

Policy of Seclusion Beginning in the mid 17 th century Limited trade contacts, but it still persisted as the West really wanted the products the east had to offer such as silk, porcelain, and tea. No Christianity, but the Jesuits were allowed to remain

Trade was mostly with Silver from the west as West had no goods the East wanted. Silver from the Americas Porcelain and Silk from the East