more axial age n back to india n ca. 500 b.c. n caste system in place n development of hinduism...
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More Axial AgeMore Axial Age
back to India ca. 500 B.C. caste system in place development of Hinduism
– Brahmin priests
LiteratureLiterature
the Brahmanas: metaphysical speculation
the Upanishads: central concepts of Hinduism– ascetics– the Jungle Schools
Central ConceptsCentral Concepts
Brahman: the universal spiritual reality behind all perceptions
Atman: the human soul Karma: “actions have consequences”
– not “sin”
Goal of the AsceticsGoal of the Ascetics
mystic ecstasy enlightenment unification of Brahman and the Atman karma: affects the rate of enlightenment
Road to EnlightenmentRoad to Enlightenment
getting rid of negative karma absence of bodily desires then the Atman could merge with
Brahman eternally
Other Responses to BrahmansOther Responses to Brahmans
Charvakas: atheists Jainists, Buddhists
JanismJanism
Nigantha Nataputta the Vardhamana Mahavira Left a wealthy, aristocratic family to lead
an ascetic life 7th century movement based upon the
Upanishads
Nigantha Nataputta
the Vardhamana Mahavira
Modern Jain temple and worshipper
Rock shrines
The Mahavira
Janism, con’tJanism, con’t
salvation from the cycle of souls all souls are trapped in matter all things possess souls
– both animate and inanimate penance frees the soul from matter
(karma)
BuddhismBuddhism
Siddhartha Gautama: the Buddha The Four Sights search for enlightenment the bo tree: illusion and enlightenment salvation by moderation
– the Middle Path
Fasting
Siddhartha Gautama
before his enlightenment under the bodhi tree
Central Ideas: all life is sufferingCentral Ideas: all life is suffering
the Four Noble Truths– all life is suffering– desire causes suffering– suffering can be avoided by non-desiring– desire can be stopped by meditation and
the Noble Eightfold Path Correct knowledge and good habits can
annihilate suffering
Central Ideas, con’tCentral Ideas, con’t
The Noble Eightfold Path– right views, right aspirations– right speech, right conduct– right livelihood, right effort– right mindedness, right rapture
Buddha of the Great Wonders
Gandhara,
3rd-4th century A.D.
Teaching Buddha
Sarnath, 5th century A.D.
The Buddha of Gandhara
2nd century A.D.
Various busts of the Buddha
Wheel of Dharma
Buddhist SocietyBuddhist Society
no fixed hierarchies no priest, but individual responsibility decisions: free and democratic equality among Buddhists
ProblemsProblems
the Buddha did not write things down several version of what he said
– the Pali Canon of Ceylon
Common ideasCommon ideas
transmigration of souls effects of Karma the Noble Eight Fold Path of Thoughts
and Deeds nirvana: “blowing out”
– annihilation of the “ego”
Buddhist SchoolsBuddhist Schools
Hinayana – (“the Lesser Vehicle” / “The Little Raft”)– no works after 480 B.C. accepted– Ceylon, Indo-China
Mahayana– (“the Greater Vehicle /”The Big Raft”)– Tibetan Buddhism, Chan, Zen, etc.
BuddhismBuddhism
students spread his message compiled “correct teachings” disagreements
Challenge to BrahmansChallenge to Brahmans
egalitarian “gender-less” appealed to those not of the aristocracy education to any who wished it ridiculed the Brahmans
Buddhism: “doctrine”Buddhism: “doctrine”
favored individual self-examination no empty ritual no caste system hostile Brahman reaction
Rise of the Mauryan EmpireRise of the Mauryan Empire
Alexander the Great Chandragupta Maurya (322-298 B.C.) Ashoka
Kingdom of Magadha
Most significant remaining kingdom after Alexander’s departure
Central Ganges plain Economic strength
– Agriculture– Trade in Ganges valley, Bay of Bengal
Dominated surrounding regions in north-eastern India
The Mauryan and Gupta empires321 B.C.E.-550 C.E.
AshokaAshoka
most powerful ruler converted to Buddhism spread the Dharma throughout the land
Ashoka Maurya
Grandson of Chandragupta
Represents high point of Mauryan Empire, r. 268-232 BCE
Expanded empire to include all of Indian subcontinent except for south
Positive rulership integrated Indian society
Pillar of Ashoka, proclaiming the dharma throughout India
The DharmaThe Dharma
peace, pacifism, moderation roads, hospitals, rest houses promoted vegetarianism
– condemned bloody sacrifices threatened the Brahmans with loss of
power largely unsuccessful
Brahmans adopt Buddhist thoughtBrahmans adopt Buddhist thought necessary to be competitive Buddha was Vishnu more interaction with the people aided by Buddhist theological
arguments
BrahmansBrahmans
the soul was real ultimate purpose: fuse with the divine spread to all levels of society oldest and most successful of the major,
world religions
Buddhism?Buddhism?
declined in India successful in China, Nepal, Indo-China,
Japan– and now, America
The Eight Auspicious Symbols
Tibetan Buddhism
Lord Shakyamuni Buddha
The Green Tara
the Bodhisattva
of Active Compassion
Four-Armed Chenreisg (Sanskrit: Avalokiteshvara) The Bodhisattva of Compassion
Maitreya - The Future Buddha
Sakyamuni, Burma
Standing Buddha Mongolia
Kamakura Buddha, Japan
Amida Buddha
Shin (Pure Land) Buddhism
Japan
Cyber Buddha
Books you can read
Edward Conze. Buddhism: Its Essense and Development
Juan Mascaro, trans. The Bhagavada Gita Kenneth K.S. Chen. Buddhism: The Light of Asia Noble Ross Reat. Buddhism. A History Andrew Skilton. A Concise History of Buddhism John Snelling. The Buddhist Handbook: A Complete
Guide to Buddhist, Schools, Teaching Practice, and History
Peter Harvey. An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History, and Practices
www.etsu.edu/cas/history/religionsbib.htm
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