Classical Religions

Christianity

DaoismConfucianism

HinduismBuddhism

How did religion change from the River Valley period to the Classical Period?

What sort of things increased in importance?

Two Chinese Philosophies Emerge

Confucianism“The Analects”

Teachings of Confucius

“Respect yourself and others will respect you.”

Daoism Balance/Harmony with Nature

Why do you think there was an effort to find a new governing style?

Two Chinese Philosophies EmergeA. Confucianism 1. Impact of Confucianism in forming the social order in

Chinaa. Belief that humans are good, not badb. Respect for elders – Filial Piety - http://www.stanford.edu/group/confucian/cgi-bin/blog/?p=149

c. Code of Politeness (still use in Chinese society today)d. Emphasis on educatione. Ancestor worship

Respect link

Confucianism - Filial Piety – Respect/obey elders/family- Five Primary Relationships - Every member of society has duty. - Role model or follower or both

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. -Confucious

What Chinese concept is Confucius reinforcing?

Writing and teachings of Confucius = Analects

ConfucianismRead the following excerpt from the Analect and answer the following questions: “Filial piety is the root of virtue and the source of civilisation. We establish ourselves and practise the Way, thereby perpetuating our name for future generations and bringing glory to our parents. This is the fulfilment of filial piety and it begins with serving one's parents, our rulers and is completed by establishing one's character." Describe Confucius’ concept of filial piety and its importance to Confucianism. How did Confucianism promote social harmony? How did the principles of Confucianism relate to the “Mandate of Heaven” concept?

Two Chinese Philosophies EmergeB. Daoism

1. Impact of Daoism in forming Chinese culture and values

a. Humility – low view of one’s own importanceb. Simple life & inner peacec. Harmony/balance with nature

Lao Zi - founderYin and Yang represent

opposites for Confucianism and Taoism.

ChinaConfucianism and Daoism/TaoismConfucius

Social order and Filial Piety = stability and harmony

Balance between human activity and natural world.

Which had a greater impact on scientific and medicinal innovation?

ChinaDaoism/Taoism

Balance between human activity and natural world.

八卦 Bāguà—The eight trigrams

乾 Qián☰

兌 Duì☱

離 Lí☲

震 Zhèn☳

巽 Xùn☴

坎 Kǎn☵

艮 Gèn☶

坤 Kūn☷

Heaven/Sky Lake/Marsh Fire Thunder Wind Water Mountain Earth

天 Tiān 澤 ( 泽 ) Zé 火 Huǒ 雷 Léi 風 ( 风 ) Fēng 水 Shuǐ 山 Shān 地 Dì

Critical Intro:Are you Yin or Yang?

Confucius Says?His teaching were recorded in the Analects

According to Chinese tradition, filial piety (Hsiao) was the primary duty of all Chinese. In the Hsiao-king (Classics of Filial Piety), Confucius is recorded as saying: "Filial piety is the root of all virtue."--"Of all the actions of man there are none greater than those of filial piety." The term filial piety refers to the extreme respect that Chinese children are supposed to show their parents. It involves many different things including taking care of the parents, burying them properly after death, bringing honor to the family, and having a male heir to carry on the family name. Practicing these ideals is a very important part of Chinese culture. Therefore, one would expect that filial piety would be incorporated into the major religions of China as it has been.

Confucian AnalectsSelections:On Filial PietyOn War

East Asian beliefsA. Believed in ancestor veneration (worship)

1. Spirits could bring good or bad luck2. offering made to keep spirits happy3. Offerings included human sacrifice4. Shamans = individuals who claimed

ability to contact the ancestors = ShamanismWhere else do we see this?

IndiaHinduism and Buddhism

Hinduism

Major similarities and differences?

Buddhism

III. Hinduism was an important contribution of classical India.

A. What are the beliefs of the Hindu religion?1. No single founder – evolved from Aryan Vedic traditions2. Interconnectedness of life; Atman = individual soul; & Brahman = world soul3. Reincarnation – rebirth of soul through many lifetimes4. Dharma – duties specific to each caste; pride in fulfilling Dharma5. Karma – all thoughts & actions result in future consequences (good or bad)6. Moksha – spiritual goal for Hindus; release from cycle of rebirth; join world soul

Birth

Death

RebirthDeath

Rebirth

Reincarnation

IV. Hindu GodsA. How did Hindus view their gods? Many incarnations of one god - Brahman

1. Brahma – the Creator

2. Vishnu – the Protector

3. Shiva – the Destroyer

IV. Hinduism relied on sacred literature as a foundation of the religion.A. What were the “Sacred Writings” of Hinduism?

1.Vedas = beginning of Hindu religion2. Upanishads = introduced idea of universal spirit &

separation from material world3. Mahabharata = 106,000 verse epic Indian poem;

addressing good & evil; importance of Dharma.

BrahmaShiva

Vishnu

IV. Hinduism influenced Indian society and culture and is still practiced in India today.

A. How did Hinduism influence Indian society and culture?

1. Karma & reincarnation strengthened Caste System

2. Caste System influenced all social interactions & occupations

3. NO SOCIAL MOBILITY!

4. Hindu culture spread to SE Asia along trade routes.

No Social Mobility – born & die in same caste

H I N D U I S M

Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama and the development of

Buddhism

1. Who was the founder of Buddhism?

• Siddhartha Gautama

2. Describe the early life of Siddhartha Gautama.

• Born a prince in northern India he was isolated in the palace walls and destined for greatness.

3. What were the Four Passing Sights?

• Old man• Sick man• Dead man• Holy Man

4. What understanding did Siddhartha take away from these sights?

• Life of full of suffering but only the holy man seemed at peace.

5. What did Siddhartha go in search of?

• Enlightenment!• Way to end

suffering

6. What did Siddhartha become known as?

• the Buddha• meaning the

“Enlightened One”

7. In his first sermon, what were his four main ideas called? List them.

• The Four Noble Truths• 1. All suffer and know

sorrow.• 2. We suffer because

of desires.• 3. To end suffering we

must end desires.• 4. End desires by

following the Eightfold Path

8. What is another term for the Eightfold Path?

• Middle Way

9. List the steps in the Eightfold Path. Make an organizer. (web)

• Right Views• Right Resolve• Right Speech• Right Conduct• Right Livelihood• Right Effort• Right

Mindfulness• Right

Concentration

10. What is the goal for Buddhists called?

• Nirvana• Nirvana for Gautama is to live the life on

earth as the result of the Enlightenment, it is not a place, but a state of mind in which one is released from desire, craving, fear... and, most specially, Nirvana brings a Buddhist out of the cycles of the curse of reincarnation for ever.

11. What main ideas do Hinduism and Buddhism have in common?

• Reincarnation• Karma• Release from material world• Spiritual afterlife

12. What 2 main Hindu ideas did the Buddha reject?

• the many Hindu gods

• the caste system

13. As a result of the caste system rejection, what type of early converts did Buddhism receive?

• Laborers, craftspeople and servants

14. How did Buddhism spread after the Buddha’s death?

• Buddhist missionaries spread Buddhism to new areas

15. How did trade impact the spread of Buddhism AND what are some areas in east Asia to which Buddhism

spread?

• Traders carried Buddhism along trade routes such as the Silk Roads to places like China, Korea and Japan and southeast Asia.

Indian Buddha Chinese Buddha

First the physical image of a Noble was different as was the concept of the results of enlightenment, a Noble was not athletic or a warrior, but a well fed person of leisure. Enlightenment led to material success and wealth and a position at least close to nobility. And a belief that fat men were inherently benevolent, similar to the "jolly fat man", Jolly Ol' St. Nick for example.

3 Theories for “Fat Buddha”Buddhism reached China around 100 CE, and was wide spread there by 600 CE. And we get three theories on Fat Buddha.

Then there is the story of a Chinese Buddhist monk in the 6th century who just happened to have a belly that shook like jelly. He was a benevolent fellow who dedicated himself to helping others, and was regarded as the incarnation of the Boddhisatva Metteya, who had reached nirvana but stayed around just to help people

And finally, the theory held by most Buddhist scholars. A sagely Zen monk appeared in China around 850 CE and died in 916 CE. He said his name was "Knowing This" (ChiChe). No one knew where he came from, he carried a big fat bag and was famous for his fat belly. When asked how to obtain nirvana he would lay down the bag, not saying a word. When asked about what happened after reaching nirvana, he would pick up the bag and walk away, still not uttering a word. It is pretty much accepted that such a monk existed. He is probably the inspiration for Fat Buddha, as the statues began appearing in the late 9th century, 1200 years after the Gautama's death.

Jesus and the Spread of ChristianityRise of ChristianityA.D. 6 - Rome took control of Jewish kingdom of Judea, centered in Jerusalem.Jesus was born around 6-4 B.C. in Bethlehem; raised in Nazareth

- Jesus was both a Jew and a Roman subject- Took up trade of carpentry- At 30, Jesus began ministry; for 3 years he preached, taught & healed- His ideas contained ideas from Jewish tradition; monotheism, Ten

Commandments- Jesus had 12 disciples; pupils/followers - later called apostles- His message had great appeal to the poor; rejection of wealth and status, and acceptance of everyone

A.D. 29 in Jerusalem - Death of Jesus- Jewish priests deny Jesus is messiah; teachings were contempt for God.- The Roman governor Pontius Pilate accused Jesus of challenging authority of Rome- According to Gospels - 3 days later, body was gone, he appeared tofollowers, then ascended to heaven.- Jesus becomes known as Jesus Christ from Greek Christos meaning“messiah” or “savior”. Followers of teachings = Christians- Christians were persecuted and killed for their beliefs

Apostles Spread Teachings- Peter, one of the first apostles, spread teaching throughout Palestine andSyria. Cross became symbol of beliefs.- Paul – first opposed Christianity, then had vision of Christ, thenaccepted beliefs & began teachings.- Paul spread Christianity outside Palestine to Jews and Gentiles “non-Jews”

Emperors Contribution to the Spread of Christianity- Constantine in A.D. 313 issued “Edict of Milan” allowing religiousfreedom; ended persecution of Christians.- Theodosius in A.D. 380 made Christianity the official religion of Roman Empire.

Christian Beliefs, Traditions, and Customs- Monotheistic- Trinity = Jesus as father, son, and holy spirit- Life after death- New Testament = accounts and teachings of Jesus & writings of early Christians- Christian doctrine established by early church councils

- Pope = head of Christian Church- Bishop = head of all churches in one area- Heresy = any belief or action that questioned the basic teachings of the church.

Jewish Rebellions- A.D. 66 Jews in Judea rebelled against Rome.- Jewish fortress of Masada held out until A.D. 73; all committed suicide.- Diaspora = Most Jews were exiled from their homelands.

Travels of Apostle Paul

Paul Preaching in Athens

Jewish rebels hold out against Romans at Masada

Loyalty to the Church became more important than loyalty to the Emperor.

Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity & made it legal

Christianity later became the official religion of the Roman Empire

The Church became the main unifying force of Western Europe

The Church becomes a source of moral authority

Impact of the Church of Rome in the late Roman Empire

The Rise of Christianity

How did each of the following people influence the development of Christianity as a new religion?

• Jesus of Nazareth• The Jews• Pontius Pilate• Peter

Jesus of Nazareth

• Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus.

• He emphasized God’s personal relationship with each human.

• His simple message attracted great crowds - especially the poor.

• Many greeted him as the

Messiah.

The Jews• Jesus was born a Jew.• His teachings contained many ideas from Jewish tradition.• Ideas such as monotheism and the Ten Commandments

Pontius Pilate

• He accused Jesus of challenging the authority of Rome, he had Jesus crucified.

• Crucifixion cross became symbol of the religion.

• After death, Jesus’ body disappeared, convincing Christians that he was the Messiah or savior.

Peter

• 1st Apostle• He spread teachings of Jesus throughout

Palestine and Syria.

How did each of the following help to promote the spread Christianity?

• Pax Romana• Paul• Emperor Constantine• Emperor Theodosius

Pax Romana“Roman Peace”

• Provided ideal conditions for travel and the exchange of ideas.

• Massive road system allowed for increased travel, commerce and interaction.

Paul

• He stressed the universal nature of Christianity.

• He declared the religion should welcome all converts.

Constantine

• A.D. 313 - Issued “Edict of Milan” ending persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.

• Christianity would now be one of the approved religions by the emperor.

Constantine1st Christian Emperor

Theodosius

• A.D. 380 - Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the empire’s official religion.

ChristianityFrom persecutions and deathsto becoming an empire’sofficial religion

Christian persecutions and killings

Christian persecutions and killings

Diffusion of Christianity and Buddhism

Buddhism & ChristianityI. Similarities

A. Universalizing faiths: (along with Islam later)1. Religion that attempts to operate on a

global scale and appeal to all people.2. Compared to ethnic religion; which

primarily attracts one group of people living in one place.

B. Spread of religions1. Buddhism: from India to SE Asia, China,

Korea, Japan2. Christianity: from ME throughout E&W

Europe

Buddhism & ChristianityBuddhism & Christianity

C. Use of Missionaries1. Carried teachings to new lands

D. Importance of monastic life1. Devoting life to faith2. !! Allowance of women to participate in

monastic/missionary activity

Buddhism & Christianity

E. Division into different sects/denominations1. Buddhism: Theravada & Mahayana2. Christianity: Catholic & Orthodox

Buddhism & Christianity

II. Differences (few but key)A. Christianity has:

1. Greater church structure & hierarchy2. Less tolerance for local beliefs and

traditions. Results?

IndiaHinduism and Buddhism

Is Hinduism more like Confucianism or Daoism? Explain

Judaism and Christianity

Similarities?

Christianity and Buddhism