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Chapter Five: Ancient Civilizations of India and China ______. Culture and Values, 6 th Ed. Cunningham and Reich. Indian Civilization. The Indus River Valley Civilization Harappa and Mohenjo-daro Agriculture-based society (cotton) Centralization Ecological disasters Aryan invasions. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Chapter Five:Ancient Civilizations of India and China
______
Culture and Values, 6th Ed.Cunningham and Reich
Indian Civilization
The Indus River Valley Civilization– Harappa and Mohenjo-daro– Agriculture-based society (cotton)– Centralization– Ecological disasters– Aryan invasions
The Aryans Indus Valley settlements c. 1500 B.C.E. Uncertain origins Sanskrit Caste System Agricultural / Pastoral Culture Tribal structure Epics: Ramayana, Mahabharata
Aryan Religion
Complex, precise ceremonies and rituals The Vedas (Rig Veda)
– Core text of Hindu temple worship Upanishads
– Philosophical focus– Brahman and Atman: “Tat tvam asi.”
Hinduism
Priest and temple + meditation and study– Puja
Path to ultimate reality, Brahman– Path of Asceticism– Path of Karma– Path of Devotion (bhakti)
Buddha Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.E.)
– Inescapability of suffering and death– “Enlightened One”
Fourfold Noble Path– Eightfold Path– Emphasis on ethical, moderate living
Liberation through knowledge– Truth lies within
Emperor Ashoka
Unified all of India Buddhism as state religion
– Doctrine of Non-violence Rock Edicts Buddhist monks as missionaries
[Image 5.2]Lion capital
Hindu and Buddhist Art
Hindu Art Religious in spirit Eroticism Naturalism Unity in all life forms
– Avatars
Buddhist Art Focus on spirituality Calm, transcendent
images – Buddha, Bodhisattvas– Renunciation of
worldly pleasures
The Gupta Empire and Its Aftermath
Chandra Gupta I (C.E. 320) Chandra Gupta II (ruled 380-415)
– “The Sun of Power”– Decline of Buddhism, rise of Hinduism
Gupta Literature– Kalidasa’s Sakuntala– Sudraka’s The Little Clay Cart
The Gupta Empire and Its Aftermath
Gupta Science– Foundation of large universities– Mechanics, medicine, mathematics
Collapse of Gupta Rule– The White Huns– Religion vs. Secular Politics
Origins of Civilization in China
Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 B.C.E.)– Bronze craftsmanship – Trade, commerce– System of writing
Chou Dynasty (1100-221 B.C.E.)– Emperors coordinated separate kingdoms– Period of the Warring States (403-221 B.C.E.)
Origins of Civilization in China
Confucianism– Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.)– Creating a new, virtuous social order– Five inner virtues, two outer virtues– Purpose of the State– Authority and discipline
Origins of Civilization in China Taoism
– Lao Tzu (570 B.C.E.)– Limitations of human perceptions– “the Way” (tao)– Tao te ching– Passivity and resignation– “the soft yield of water cleaves the obstinate
stone”
The Unification of China
Ch’in Dynasty (221 B.C.E.)– Shih Huang-ti, “First Emperor”– Hsien-yang, captial city– Centralization– Burning of the Books– The Great Wall– The Emperor’s tomb
The Unification of China
The Han Dynasty (202 B.C.E. - C.E. 202)– Kao-tsu (256-195 B.C.E.)– Elaborate central bureaucracy– Reconstruction of philosophical texts
Aristocratic feuds / civil war T’ang Dynasty (C.E. 618-906)
– China’s Golden Age
The Arts in Classical China:Literature
The Five Classics Popularity of poetry
– Li Po (C.E. 701-762) Philosophical writing
– Mahayana, Hinayana Buddhism Short story
The Arts in Classical China:Visual Arts
Blend of new and traditional styles Direct impressions of daily life Shrines, monumental carvings Emphasis on craftsmanship
– Precision and clarity of design Calligraphy
– Emphasis on beauty of line
Chapter Five: Discussion Questions In what ways does the classical art of China reflect the
values of the major philosophical schools of the time? Explain, citing specific examples of art.
To what extent does literature serve as both an impediment of and a vehicle for reigning governments? Consider the use of literature during the various Chinese dynasties in comparison with the role of literature in the early Greek and Roman cultures.
Explain the difference between Buddhism as it first emerged in India from the Hindu tradition versus the Buddhism practiced in China. To what can we attribute these differences?
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