ANCIENT INDIA
Hinduism
No set theology
Brahman – ultimate reality
Polytheistic
Gods are different manifestations of Brahman
Maya – world is an illusion
Atman - unchanging eternal self
Samsara – reincarnation
Cyclic nature of life
Karma – cosmic justice
Dharma – right behavior
Goal is moksha: end to reincarnation
Body passes through many castes based on dharma resulting in karma
Caste system
(Combination of 3 systems)
1. Traditional:
Priest, warrior, tradesman, servant, untouchable
2. Jatis: occupation
3. Geographic
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama 563-483 BC founder
Enlightenment
Nontheistic – no creator, no unchanging divine reality
Minimize suffering and gain inner peace
Three marks of reality
Change, impermanent personal identity, suffering
Four noble truths
To live is to suffer, Suffering comes from desire, End desire = end suffering
Release from suffering via Eightfold path to nirvana
Right: understanding, intention, speech, action, living, effort, meditation, and
contemplation
Several different schools of Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism – Strict / conservative
Mahayana Buddhism – Large vehicle
Theravada Buddhism
Way of the elders
Strict/ conservative
Strict adherence to Buddha's teachings
Monastic
Detachment / loss of desire through meditation
Personal behavior important for release from reincarnation
Merit to gain better rebirth
Buddha is not divine
Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma)
Mahayana Buddhism
Large vehicle
Less strict
Broadened Buddhist ideal
Common people – Lay, women, married
Positive view of material world
Buddhism is a quasi-religion
Wisdom and compassion
Heaven replaces nirvana
Buddha was manifestation of divine reality
Bodhisattva- one who stays in cycle of reincarnation to help others
Rituals / devotions, temples on a grand scale
China
Jainism
Mahavira “great man” 540 – 468 BC
Final Jina “victor - Human who found way out of samsara
Dualist philosophy jiva / ajiva
Atheist
Reincarnation
Karma
Extreme ahimsa
Vegetarian
Strict morality
Austerity
Gentle suicide
Mauryan Dynasty 321 – 232
Along the Ganges River
Centralized government / banking
Created by marriage and conquest
Chandragupta Maurya 332 – 298
Built infrastructure and insured quality for enterprises
Capital at Pataliputra
Kautilya the prime minister wrote Arthashastra
Ashoka the Great 272 – 232
Great warrior who turned to peace
Devout Buddhist
Rock and pillar edicts