Ancient India & China

Ancient India & China

2500 BC- 256 BC

Civilizations in India & China

Foundations for Religion & Philosophy

Achievements of Ancient Asia

Green Book Ch 3 – 52-69 & Chapter 13 262-271

Honors: Pp 66-75 & Chapter 8 200-216

Key Vocabulary- UNIT II China & India

• Hinduism• Buddhism• Reincarnation• Karma• Dharma• Subcontinent• Monsoon• Rajah• Polytheistic• Caste System• Ahimsa• Asoka/Asoka

• Vedas• Vedic Age• Mandate of Heaven• Veneration of Ancestors• Dynastic Cycle• Filial Piety• Confucius• Siddhartha Gautama• Sanskrit• Civil Service • Middle Kingdom• Taoism• Legalism

Essential Questions :India/China

1. How has geography influenced India and China? 2. What are some key geographic features of both India and

China3. What are some achievements of both early civilizations of

India and China4. What impact did the Aryans have on India5. How did the caste system influence India?6. What ideas of gov’t did early Chinese civilizations bring?7. Why is Hinduism a complex religion? What are some of

the central teachings of Buddhism. Compare the similarities and the differences of the two religions.

8. What philosophies developed in early China?9. What caused the collapsed of the early civilization in China

and India?

Geographic Features of India

• The term subcontinent is only associated w/ India• 3 major zones: northern plain, Deccan Plateau &

the coastal plains• 2 major rivers: Indus River & Ganges River• Monsoons (winter and summer)- These bring

floods and destruction…also needed rain!• Himalayan Mountains have a dramatic effect on

the region.

Indus Valley Civilization• 2500 BC-1000 BC• Well planned cities of Mohenjo-Daro & Harappa• Massive planned cities-grid pattern• Lost due to a flood/no records left• Powerful gov’t • Brick buildings*****************************************“In the Beginning Reading” (please review)• Invasion of the Aryans changed their lives. The people

of the Indus Valley were monotheistic…but the Aryans brought their polytheistic ideas and religion to the region (Hinduism is formed)

Indus Valley Civilization• 2500 BC-1500 BC• Cities: Mohenjo-Daro & Harappa• Massive well planned cities-grid pattern• Powerful gov’t • Brick buildings • Farming & Trade• Special regard for cattle- cows are

worshipped…New language- SANSKIRT…basics for

Hinduism..

Harappa Seals

More than 2,000 seals have been found. Historians think that each merchant family used its own seal to stamp labels on its trade goods- is this similar to anything people do today?

The ruins of the ancient city Mohenjo-Daro are found in the province of Sind, southern Pakistan (used to be India). Dating to 2500 bc, the ruins are an important source of information about the Indus Valley civilization, which was one of the world’s first great civilizations.

What are possible causes to the decline of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa?

Mysterious endings

Ecological disaster?…Deforestation?

…Volcanic eruption?

…Devastating earthquake?

Desertion?

Invasion?

The Aryans

• 1500 BC the warlike Aryans invaded India

• Superior iron weapons

• Their records were left in the Vedas (hence they refer to this as the Vedic Age 1500-500 BC– An example of the Vedic book is the Rig Veda

“Instant Karma is going to get you…” John Lennon

The term karma is defined as: the total effect of a person’s actions and conduct during the successive phases of existence.(what you do in this life effects your next life).

This idea reinforces the caste system…– Does karma play into how you behave?– How may one have “good” karma?– How may one have “bad” karma?

CASTE SYSTEM• The caste system is a religious and social system that

organized the people of India based on status and occupation by BIRTH

• This is an example of a rigid class structure . {typically represented by a triangle}

• This system is the foundation for the Hindu faith.• This takes into account reincarnation, karma, and your

dharma.• The goal is to reach moksha- unification w/ the

GODS- break out of the caste and join the gods• Each caste has a job, duty and obligation

Major concepts- Vocabulary

• Reincarnation-the process of the soul being born again.

• Atman- the essential self/soul• Karma-all of the actions of a person’s life and

how they affect their fate in the next life.• Dharma-the religious/moral duties of each caste.• Moksha-union w/ the gods• Nirvana-eternal bliss/peace• Cows are sacred animals

Hinduism-one of the oldest and the only POLYTHEISTIC religions

•3 main gods:–Brahma- creator–Shiva- destroyer–Vishnu- preserver

– +1,000 more….

Questions for review

• How does the caste system effect society?• Would you consider Hinduism a complex

religion?• What problems does the caste system

cause?

Handout for Essay: Chart Hinduism/Buddhism

Hinduism BuddhismFounder (s)Who / When

Location

Holy Books/Holy Literature

Polytheistic/Monotheistic

Examples

Practices/Tenants

Goals

Major religious themes

Holy places

Miscellaneous:

Buddhism

• Who is the founder?

• Around what year?

• What are some of the main beliefs?

• What are commonalities w/ Hinduism?

• What are the holy books?

• How is this more of a “way” of life?

Origins of Buddhism

• Founder: Sidhartha Gautama

• 6th Century BC

• India

• Sought a “new way” of life

• Through meditation he became : Buddha or the enlightened one

• Sought the “middle way”

Teachings and Beliefs

• Siddhartha was born into the Brahmin caste, and by all account led a luxurious lifestyle. However, he was troubled by the human misery that he saw around him everyday. Upon reflection, he deduced that desire was the root caused of all suffering. This idea has been recorded as the Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths

Siddhartha's  philosophy of the nature of human suffering and its relation to desire is articulated by these four statements:

1. Life is full of pain and suffering. 2. Human desire causes this suffering. 3. By putting an end to desire, humans can end

suffering. 4. Humans can end desire by following the Eightfold

Path.

Eightfold Path• The Wheel of Life is one of the most important symbols of

Buddhism, as it represents the endless cycle of life through reincarnation and because each of its eight spokes represents one of the teachings of the Eightfold Path.

1. Know that suffering is caused by desire.

2. Be selfless and love all life.

3. Do not lie, or speak without cause.

4. Do not kill, steal, or commit other unrighteous acts.

5. Do not do things which promote evil.

6. Take effort to promote righteousness.

7. Be aware of your physical actions, state of mind, and emotions.

8. Learn to meditate.

Similarities of Hinduism and Buddhism

• Hinduism • Buddhism

Differences

• Hinduism • Buddhism

Ancient Kingdoms of India

• Maurya Empire • Chandragupta seized the thrown of India

– This empire developed over the Deccan Plateau & into Afghanistan

– Schools and Libraries were created

– The most notable achievements were:• Expansion of trade

• Creation of a code of laws: Asoka’s Edits

• Gupta Empire

Asoka

• He is the most famous leaders of the Maurya empire. 269 BC-232 BC

• He was a warrior that saw the evils of battle and converted to Buddhism..he became a pacifist.– He preached toleration and non violence– Codified laws called: Asoka’s Edicts.– EX’s

The Fourteen Rock Edicts [^]1Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, has caused this Dhamma edict to be written.[1] Here (in my domain) no living beings are to be slaughtered or offered in sacrifice. Nor should festivals be held, for Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, sees much to object to in such festivals, although there are some festivals that Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, does approve of. Formerly, in the kitchen of Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, hundreds of thousands of animals were killed every day to make curry. But now with the writing of this Dhamma edict only three creatures, two peacocks and a deer are killed, and the deer not always. And in time, not even these three creatures will be killed.

2Everywhere[2] within Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi's domain, and among the people beyond the borders, the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Satiyaputras, the Keralaputras, as far as Tamraparni and where the Greek king Antiochos rules, and among the kings who are neighbors of Antiochos,[3] everywhere has Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, made provision for two types of medical treatment: medical treatment for humans and medical treatment for animals. Wherever medical herbs suitable for humans or animals are not available, I have had them imported and grown. Wherever medical roots or fruits are not available I have had them imported and grown. Along roads I have had wells dug and trees planted for the benefit of humans and animals.[4]

3

Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, speaks thus:[5] Twelve years after my coronation this has been ordered -- Everywhere in my domain the Yuktas, the Rajjukas and the Pradesikas shall go on inspection tours every five years for the purpose of Dhamma instruction and also to conduct other business.[6]

Respect for mother and father is good, generosity to friends, acquaintances, relatives, Brahmans and ascetics is good, not killing living beings is good, moderation in spending and moderation in saving is good. The Council shall notify the Yuktas about the observance of these instructions in these very words.

Guptas

• After the Maurya Empire comes the Guptas (320 BC-500AD)

• India was invaded by the Greeks and the Persians which caused cultural diffusion.

• The dominate religion was Hinduism• By 400 the Huns from Asia began to invade• Out of the confusion emerged the Guptas

– This was a Golden Age of India– Characteristics of a Golden Age:

THE GUPTAS

• Decimal system• Concept of ZERO• Inoculation• Infinity• Textiles

• Golden Ages always have advances in Arts, Science and Mathematics.

Key Vocabulary- UNIT II China & India

• Hinduism• Buddhism• Reincarnation• Karma• Dharma• Subcontinent• Monsoon• Rajah• Polytheistic• Caste System• Ahimsa• Asoka/Asoka

• Vedas• Vedic Age• Mandate of Heaven• Veneration of Ancestors• Dynastic Cycle• Filial Piety• Confucius• Siddhartha Gautama• Sanskrit• Civil Service • Middle Kingdom• Taoism• Legalism

• Ethnocentric

• Ancient China:

• Points of interest:– New religions/Philosophies

• Daoism, Legalism, Confucianism, Buddhism

– Ancient Empires• Shang, Zhou, Chin, Han

– Scientific Advancements• Silk making, Gunpowder…Great Wall of China

Terms that are associated w/ China

• Ethnocentrism:

• Mandate of Heaven:

• Dynastic Cycle

• Veneration of Ancestors

Ancient China• Geographic Features:

• Mountains (Himalayan Mountains)• This fostered Ethnocentric ideas

– They were the “Middle Kingdom”– The people between the “Heavens and Earth”

• River Valleys» Yangtze River» Huang He River/Yellow River

• Ethnocentric- the belief your culture is the best or superior.

• Veneration of the ancestors: the worshipping of your dead relatives to bring you luck in your life.

Shang Dynasty• 1766 BC-1050 BC• Yellow River• The King remained in the capital and local rulers in the countryside

(feudalism) – Feudalism is found in CHINA, ANCIENT JAPAN AND EUROPE…

DURING THE MIDDLE AGES…

• Society based on farming• Limited Writing System: Pictograms (thus it was limited in it’s

translation)• This was confusing (over 3000 symbols) Too many symbols…

dialects• Only the wealthy / monks could read & write

Religious Beliefs

• Spirits in nature– They controlled the floods, the sun, the locust

plagues– Praying to ancestors: Veneration of the

ancestors- your dead ancestors control your fate…and the fate of all on earth.

– Priests and oracle readers-they predicted events in the future.

Life

• Most people were peasants

• Extended families lived together

• Achievements:– Decimal System– Bronze weapons– Yoke Harness– Chariots

Zhou/Chou = Joe

• 1122 BC-256 BC (your text says 1027 BC)• Experienced the “Golden Age” of philosophy*****************************************These ideas are fostered during this dynasty:• Mandate of heavenMandate of heaven: This idea states “if a government fails to meet the

people’s needs, then the people can revolt against the dynasty.• The dynastic cycle would explain the rise and fall of dynasties in

ancient China.– Development of Confucian ideas– Daoism/Taoism

From Confucius

• By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.

Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.

• He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

THE FIVE RELATIONSHIPS

• Father to Son• Older Brother to Younger Brother• Friend to Friend• Ruler to Ruled• Husband to Wife

• Filial Piety: respect for one’s elders. This idea creates order and allowed for people to know their role. One is subordinate to his or her elders.

* You had to know your role and how it promoted stability

Zhou…

• Feudalism emerged as the easiest way to govern large agricultural state

• Eco. Growth: iron working, new crops like soy beans, large scale irrigation systems.

• Large food surplus = larger populations

• Silk making & Trade

• Books (Book of Songs)

2 Schools of Thought in Ancient China

• Daoism• 500 BC

• Best government is the one that governs the least.

• Nature provides answers.

• The Way or Path

• Harmony/Yin & Yang

• “Dao De Jing”

• Lao Tzu

• Legalism• 250 BC

• Strict laws…

• People are evil and wicked. They need a government that is strict

• Harsh laws = order

• King Hanfezi

• The meaning of Yin-Yang

This Symbol (Yin-Yang) represents the ancient Chinese understanding of how things work. The outer circle represents "everything", while the black and white shapes within the circle represent the interaction of two energies, called "yin" (black) and "yang" (white), which cause everything to happen. They are not completely black or white, just as things in life are not completely black or white, and they cannot exist without each other.

• While "yin" would be dark, passive, downward, cold, contracting, and weak, "yang" would be bright, active, upward, hot, expanding, and strong. The shape of the yin and yang sections of the symbol, actually gives you a sense of the continual movement of these two energies, yin to yang and yang to yin, causing everything to happen: just as things expand and contract, and temperature changes from hot to cold.

Confucianism

500 BC

Confucius

King Fu Zi

Chou Dynasty

Filial piety

Family more important than the individual

Educated people will make the best gov’t

Respect for leaders

The Analects- BOOK

Five Relationships

Daoism Lao Tzu

500 BC

“The way”

Respect for the force of nature

Things happen

Yin-Yang

Less Rules in society

Dao De Jing- BOOK

Legalism

233 BC

King Hanfeizi

Chin/Qin

Strict laws = better society

Anti-Confucius

Man is evil..we need rules

Power of the king/emperor important (dictatorship)

Buddhism

500 BC

Buddha/Sidhartha

India

6th Century BC

Goal: Nirvana

8 Fold Path Against the caste sys.

4 Noble Truths Meditation

Non-Violence

Three Baskets of wisdom

Qin Dynasty

• 221BC-206 BC

• China unified under one empire

• Emperor Shi Huangdi: “First Emperor”– Used the concepts of legalism– Unified all areas of China’s kingdom– Great Wall of China (over 4,000 miles long)– Terra Cotta Warriors

Shi Huangdi

• Built extensive infrastructure (roads and canals)

• Irrigation projects• Unification and development at the cost of human

rights (people were forced to work on public works projects)– Great Wall

• Discouraged attacks• Denoted the land of the Qin

• The empire fell to the Han in 200 BC

Han Dynasty

• Han emperors expanded the territory/borders

• Adopted Confucian ideas… away from Legalism

• Wu Ti: The Warrior Emperor drove the Huns back to the north

• Developed a effective civil service system

Han Dynasty

• 200 BC- 220 AD

• Gov’t- Gao Zu first leader used the mandate of heaven.

• Confucian ideas revisited

• “Men of Virtue” to lead

• Civil services developed (exam)

Advances under the Han

• Unified writing system

• Observations of the stars

• Time keeping devices

• Accurate calendar

• Water mills

• Paper• the compass• the seismograph

• Use of the Silk road increased trade w/ the Middle East