Copyright Daniel Nissim 2006

Axial Age and Synthesis in India Review

Terms: Zoroastrianism

Dualism: two radically different principles. Ahura Mazda: Force of good. Represented by light and fire. Ahriman: Force of evil. Represented by darkness. Ethical Dualism: two radically different principles where one is good and the other is bad.

Axial Age Axial Age: Sixth century BCE, age of philosophers. Axle: central spoke that a wheel revolves around. Axial Idea: central idea that a society revolves around. Philosopher: lover of wisdom; teachers who began to seek new answers to problems in society.

Brahminism Rama: Eldest son of the King, was banished from the kingdom at his father’s demand. He followed his father’s wish and did not even return at the calling of Bharata, the brother chosen to be king. Bharata: Stepson of the King, he was appointed king at his mother’s demand. When he learned of this, he went to Rama and told him that he should take the place as king. Rama said no and Bharata promised to save the spot for Rama when he would return from his exile. The King: Followed his promise of allowing his wife any two wishes, he banished his eldest son Rama and appointed his stepson Bharata as king. Sita: Wife of Rama, she followed Rama on his exile and was a loyal, good wife. She even proved her purity to her husband when she was saved from the evil King of Lanka.

Asceticism Asceticism: “self-denial” ; withdrawing from all pleasure of the senses and giving away all material possessions. Ascetic: a person who withdraws from all pleasure of the senses and who gives up all their material possessions. Brahman: the substance that makes up the entire universe. Atman: an individual’s essence. Moksha: the experience of Oneness. Upanishads: “to sit down in front of” ; the collected writings of the learned ones. Samsara: the idea of rebirth. Karma: the measure of one’s actions either good or bad. Dharma: a person’s role and duty in society.

Jainism

Copyright Daniel Nissim 2006

Mahavira: “great hero” ; Kshatriyan prince of Magadha who was the father of Jainism Jainism: religion founded by Mahavira that believed everything was composed of Jiva and that one’s goal was to free the Jiva from things so that it can go back to its natural form. Karma: the sum of good or bad actions Ahimsa: do no harm to any living thing. Jina: a person with absolute control over their senses Vira: a brave warrior. Doctrine of Maybe: Maybe something looks that way to you from your point of view, but it might look different to someone else. Orthodox Jains: devout Jains who wore masks and carried brushes to prevent killing any creatures.

Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama: Prince who lived in Kapilavastu, was the founder of Buddhism. Enlightenment: wisdom. Enlightened One: Buddha; one who has seen wisdom. Four Noble Truths: 1) Everything in life is suffering and sorrow. 2) The cause of all suffering is people’s selfish desire for the temporary pleasures of this world. 3) The way to end all suffering is to end all desires. 4) The way to overcome such desires and attain enlightenment is to follow the Eightfold Path, which is called the Middle Way between desires and self-denial. Eightfold Path: Right views, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Middle Way: the noble Eightfold Path. Nirvana: the release from pain and suffering achieved after enlightenment. Sangha: first being a community of Buddhist nuns and monks, but later becoming referred to as the entire religious community. Three Jewels: “I take refuge in Buddha. I take refuge in the laws. I take refuge in the community.” Stupas: sacred mounds said to contain the relics of Buddha.

Hinduism Brahmanism: Dominant religion of early India. Divided people into castes, where the highest caste, Brahmins, performed rituals. (Polytheistic). Hinduism: Religion that combines the beliefs of Jainism, Buddhism, and Brahmanism. It has four goals and four stages for one to complete in order to reach moksha or the detachment from samsara. Dharma: a role, occupation, or job. One’s duty/responsibility. Artha: surviving and succeeding. Kama: pleasure and delight.

Copyright Daniel Nissim 2006

Kamasutra: a textbook that includes the 64 arts that an ideal mother should be able to do, including word games, home decoration, storytelling, music, cooking, flower arranging, entertainment, and several other skills. Moksha: Oneness and the releasing from samsara. Guru: a teacher. Brahma: The creator. Vishnu: The preserver. Shiva: The destroyer. Ganesh: People pray to him to remove obstacles. Kids draw his elephant nose on their tests for help. Hanuman: Represents the ideal servant.

Western Religions Eastern Religions Judaism, Islam, and Christianity Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism

(India) Monotheism=belief in one god Monism=everything is one universal

substance (Brahman/Jiva) God is separate/above from the people.

god

people

“God” and the people are ONE substance.

Brahman

Time is linear. BC AD

Time is cyclical.

Reincarnation

Ethical Behavior Ex- 10 Commandments

Less clear line between right/wrong and good/bad Ex- Dharma (Caste, Gender) Doctrine of Maybe

Copyright Daniel Nissim 2006

Chaos

Order

Copyright Daniel Nissim 2006

Religion Chaos Order Zoroastrianism -people lose faith in

sacrifices and magi (priests) -still had wars, famine, oppressive leaders, floods, death and disease -violence

-Zoroastrianism (Ethical Dualism) Good VS. Evil Vision-Day Vision-Night Ahura Mazda Ahriman Create- truth, wisdom Falsehood, ignorance -Free Will (Choose what you want)

Asceticism- (Early Hinduism)

-Brahminism -resent Brahmin power -Kshatriyas want more power -Vaishyas want more status -Rituals -Useless -Extravagant -Wasteful

-Follow your dharma to build good karma to reach moksha, the union of atman and brahman, and escape samsara. -ascetic lifestyle -karma helps explain unfairness in life -hopes

Jainism- Mahavira

-Violence -Wars -Sacrifices -Brahminism -Power -Corrupt -Rituals

-Goal: Free Jiva -Ahimsa (non-injury) -thoughts -actions -Doctrine of Maybe -Tolerance (Accept differences of opinion -Self control (desire) -Ascetic lifestyle -Good Karma

Choose good deeds, be righteous, just, chaste, compassionate, charitable, promote education, care for cattle, don’t pollute, place dead on raised platform Go to heaven- Eternal Bliss

Choose bad deeds, sacrifices, fasting, rituals, traditional gods (OLD POLYTHEISM) Go to hell- Pain and Suffering

Avoid Conflict

Copyright Daniel Nissim 2006

Buddhism- Siddhartha

-Brahminism -Sacrifices -Power -Corruption -Suffering -CASTE

-Goal: Nirvana (enlightenment -4 noble truths -8 fold path -Middle Way (=) NO CASTE (dharma) -Anyone can achieve Nirvana -No sacrifices -No priests

Notes on Zoroastrianism

Influences on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam • Heaven, Hell • Satan, angels • Armageddon • Free Will • Pray 5 times a day

Why Accepted?

• Made it easier to face injustices in life • Reward comes at end of life • Those who obey the rules are saved and go to heaven • You have control

How it Spread?

• Darius, King of Bactria, made it the official religion • Persian Kings

- - Influences --- Evolution

Copyright Daniel Nissim 2006

Notes on Asceticism

How Successful?-Not very - Elites: literates (Upanishads)

o $ for ascetic lifestyle - Did not appeal to average people

Notes on Jainism

How Successful?-Not very - Difficult

o Ascetic o Ahimsa o Doctrine of Maybe

- Elite- $ to be ascetic

Jobs - Not farmers, warriors - Had to be merchants - Vegetarians

Notes on Buddhism

What Siddhartha Saw 1. Old Age 2. Sickness 3. Death 4. Wandering Holy Man

What Mara tempted Siddhartha with

1. Kama- Pleasure 2. Artha- Power 3. Dharma 4. Moksha

4 Noble Truths

1. All life is suffering. 2. Suffering is caused by desire. 3. There is a way out of suffering. 4. The way to extinguish desire is to follow the eightfold path.

Eightfold Path

1. Right Understanding: Know the truth of the Four Noble Truths 2. Right Purpose: Have the urge to follow the path and reach nirvana

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3. Right Speech: Do no lie or slander anyone and do not say things that are unkind

4. Right Conduct: Do not kill, steal, lie or be unchaste or drink 5. Right Livelihood: Choose an occupation that serves humanity and

does not harm life 6. Right Effort: Have self-control, especially over your thoughts. Strive

for the good 7. Right Awareness: Have psychological insight into your own motives

and deeds. Do not be moved by either joy or sorrow 8. Right Concentration: Ponder deeply and meditate until you

experience nirvana

How Successful?-Very - Lower caste, women

• No caste • Middle Way • You are in control, no priests • Simple, easy

Notes on Hinduism

• Everything is Brahman and gods are just representations of Brahman. People pray to them not as the goal, but in search of the goal.

• One must overcome their ignorance to the fact that their atman is one with the universal Brahman to reach Moksha.

Missionaries Trade

Copyright Daniel Nissim 2006

Copyright Daniel Nissim 2006

Zoroastrianism Brahminism Asceticism Jainism Buddhism Hinduism Founder(s) Zoroaster or

Zarathustra Brahmins (No one founder)

Ascetic, upper caste (No one founder)

Mahavira- anti-brahmin

Siddhartha Synthesis by Brahmins

What was founder upset with in society?

-Violence -Empire

- Anti-Brahmin - Anti-Sacrifice

-Brahmin -Corruption -Sacrifices -Luxuries

-Luxuries: desire -Caste System -Suffering

People leaving for Buddhism and Jainism

Text(s) Avesta Vedas and Epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata)

Upanishads Doctrine of Maybe

Sutras Bhagavad Gita Mahabharata also Vedas, Ramayana, Upanishads

Goal Be with Ahura Mazda “Heaven”

Stable Sociey dharma

Moksha Free Jiva (force in all material things)

Nirvana (Enlightenment)

-Moksha -Artha (4 goals) -Kama -Dharma

How does one reach the goal? (Important Beliefs)

Free Will Follow good- resistance (ethical dualism)

Dharma Caste System Polytheistic Rituals

Dharma Karma Escape samsara when reached moksha (Brahman and Atman are one) -Ascetic Lifestyle

-Self Control of senses -Jina=someone with absolute control over senses -Ahimsa -Vegetarianism -Merchants -Doctrine of Maybe -Ascetic

-Believe in 4 noble truths -Follow the 8 fold path -Compassion (kama) -Middle Way

4 Yogas -Devotion gods -karma indifference -4 stages

Who would be attracted to this religion?

Brahmins Upper Caste Merchants Anti-Caste Equality Lower caste Women

People who didn’t like strict Buddhist & Jainist rules

Copyright Daniel Nissim 2006