Eurasian Cultural Eurasian Cultural TraditionsTraditions

500 B.C.E.-500 500 B.C.E.-500 C.E.C.E.

Chapter 5 LectureChapter 5 LectureA.P. LectureA.P. Lecture

Ways of the WorldWays of the World

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Today’s Objective...

Today we will analyze the Eurasian Cultural Traditions (500 B.C.E.-500 C.E.) and the major religions using this lecture.

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Lets Sing!!!

Dynasty song! We get to sing!!! Yay!

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Chinese Religions Confucianism

A religion based on the philosophy of Confucius in China who served as an advisor to rulers.

He lived in China during a time of moral lax. His writings deal primarily with individual

morality and ethics, and the proper exercise of political power by the rulers.

Confucianism is primarily an ethical system This philosophy provided a hierarchy where

one knew their place in the world. Family=country

**Generally new religions will emerge in times of chaos or uncertainty. Why?

Daoism Dao can be

translated to “the path” or “the way”

This philosophy stresses balance and harmony in the universe

Leave the world as you found it.

Eliminate want and focus on need.

There is no hierarchy as in Confucianism

Dao can be translated to “the path” or “the way”

This philosophy stresses balance and harmony in the universe

Leave the world as you found it.

Eliminate want and focus on need.

There is no hierarchy as in Confucianism

The Ying and Yang symbol demonstrates the female

and male roles in the natural order.

The Ying and Yang symbol demonstrates the female

and male roles in the natural order.

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Blend of Dravidian and

Aryan influences

+Called the

“Vedic Age”

Classical Hinduism• By 500 BCE (start of the Classical Era)• Oral traditions written down in the Vedas• 4 Varnas = Castes and their (Dharma)• Brahmin = Priests (learn scriptures)• Kshatriyas = Warrior/Aristocrats (govern and fight)• Vaishyas = Merchants (to sell goods/work)• Shudras = Peasants (to serve)---------------------------------------------------------

UNTOUCHABLES• Jati = Sub-castes that further divide the varnas• Samsara = reincarnation (cyclical existence of the soul)• Dharma = duty• Karma = good and bad deeds• Moksha = Salvation or release fron the cycle of Samsara

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Aryan Migrations•1600 – 1000 BCE•Large, light-skinned•Nomadic horseman from central Asia (S. Russia)•Brought: •Herding•Oral tradition in Sanskrit•Aryan Gods•4 Classes

Harappan Civilization•2500 – 1600 BCE•Indus River Valley•Dravidian (dark-skinned)•Herded cattle and farmed•Worshipped fertility gods •Ritualized bathing pools•Houses showed evidence of distinct class divisions

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HinduismPolytheistic religion made of hundreds of gods, originated in India around 1500 b.c.e

Three main deities are Shiva the destroyer, Vishnu the preserver, and Brahma the creator, all are embodied in Shiva.

Reincarnation is a principle of Hinduism in which a persons soul is born again.

Polytheistic religion made of hundreds of gods, originated in India around 1500 b.c.e

Three main deities are Shiva the destroyer, Vishnu the preserver, and Brahma the creator, all are embodied in Shiva.

Reincarnation is a principle of Hinduism in which a persons soul is born again.

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The Story of the Buddha

The Founder = Siddhartha Gautama Born in 563 B.C.E. in foothills of

Himalayas a Kshatriya (warrior/aristocrat) family

Father was determined that his son would experience only happiness

Gautama lived a pampered life in beautiful parks and palaces

Gautama grew tired of his comfortable life and went out into the world to find the answer..

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Buddha Story (cont).Gautama met a series of people who taught him that: Some men become monks, withdraw

from the active daily life, and lead holy lives seeking spirituality

Gautama left his wife, family, and home to be a holy man, seeking spiritual enlightenment and the explanation for suffering..

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Buddhism Story (cont.)

Nothing was working for Siddhartha

Decided to meditate under a tree to find the answer

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The BuddhaMeditated for 49 days Demons and spirits

tempted him In the end, Siddhartha

understood the problem of suffering & how to solve it

Siddhartha became enlightened, aka “The Buddha”

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The Four Noble Truths

1. All life involves suffering

2. Desire is the cause of suffering

3. Elimination of desire brings an end to suffering

4. A disciplined life following the Noble Eightfold Path eliminates desire..

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The Noble 8-Fold Path RIGHT __________

1.VIEWS (Belief)2.ASPIRATIONS (Resolve)3.SPEECH4.CONDUCT (Behavior)5.LIVELIHOOD (Occupation)6.EFFORT7.MINDFULNESS (Meditation) CONTEMPLATION..

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NirvanaDefinition A state of perfect spiritual

independence Enlightenment Escape from reincarnation

Parallels to other religions Similar to Moksha (Hinduism) Similar to reaching Heaven

(Christianity)..

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Buddhist Doctrine (cont.)

Buddhism promotes a life of: Moderation Quiet Contemplation Self Control

Buddhism rejected: Brahmins (Priests) Castes and jati Vedic gods of Hinduism..

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Who was attracted to Buddhism?

Hindus from low castes

Merchants especially! Why merchants?Had high wealth but low

status in Hindu..

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Ways Buddhism Spread

Merchants spread it via trade

Siddhartha preached & won converts

Monks spread the word by preaching..

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Buddhism Flourished

Spread throughout SE Asia

Spread throughout Central Asia via the Silk Road

Reached China via the Silk Road..

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Hinduism Adapted to Regain Appeal in

IndiaLess emphasis on Brahmins

Bhagavad Gita offered salvation to the faithful, even if they are not priests

Hinduism replaced Buddhism as the most popular religion in India..

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Sects of Buddhism Theravada “The Lesser Vehicle”

Earlier form, stricter, no gods Popular but not much easier than Hindu

Mahayana “The Greater Vehicle” (Developed Between 3rd and 1st Centuries)

3 Changes: Buddha worshipped as a God Boddhisatvas = individuals who reached

Nirvana but remained behind to help others get there

Monasteries granted salvation for large donations

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Compare the 3 Monotheistic

ReligionZoroaster•Zoroastrianism

Hebrews•Judaism

Jesus of Nazareth•Christianity