Religion andPhilosophy during theClassical Era

Religion andPhilosophy during theClassical Era

Key Concept 2.1

The development and codification of religious andcultural traditions

Key Concept 2.1

The development and codification of religious andcultural traditions

Breaking down the WHAPstandardBreaking down the WHAPstandard

As empires increased in size and interactions betweenpeople increased, cultural and religious systems weretransformed

Religious and belief systems provided a bond amongpeople and an ethical code to live by

Religious beliefs influenced and reinforced political,economic, and occupational stratification

Religious and political authority often merged as rulersused religion, along with military and legal structures, tojustify their rule and ensure its continuation

Religion and belief systems could also generate conflict,partly because beliefs and practices varied greatlywithin and among societies

As empires increased in size and interactions betweenpeople increased, cultural and religious systems weretransformed

Religious and belief systems provided a bond amongpeople and an ethical code to live by

Religious beliefs influenced and reinforced political,economic, and occupational stratification

Religious and political authority often merged as rulersused religion, along with military and legal structures, tojustify their rule and ensure its continuation

Religion and belief systems could also generate conflict,partly because beliefs and practices varied greatlywithin and among societies

The Emergence ofLegalism, Confucianism,and Daoism in China

The Emergence ofLegalism, Confucianism,and Daoism in China

China’s Search for OrderChina’s Search for Order

Weakened state of China Zhou (pronounced Jo) dynasty

declined by 500 BCE

Era of Warring States (403-221 BCE) Period of chaos, violence, and

disharmony in China

Territorial princes used resources tobuild, strengthen, and expand theirown states Fought with each other for power

Weakened state of China Zhou (pronounced Jo) dynasty

declined by 500 BCE

Era of Warring States (403-221 BCE) Period of chaos, violence, and

disharmony in China

Territorial princes used resources tobuild, strengthen, and expand theirown states Fought with each other for power

LegalismLegalism

If rewards are high, then what theruler wants will be quickly effected; ifpunishments are heavy, what hedoes not want will be swiftlyprevented

The Legalist AnswerThe Legalist Answer

Laws and rules were clearly spelled and strictly enforcedthrough a system of rewards and punishments

Believed human nature is naturally selfish and people arestupid and short-sided

Power lie in the hands of the state and its rulers

Farmers and solders good!!!

Merchants, aristocrats, and scholars bad and useless

Policy adopted by Qin (Chin) Dynasty under Shihuangdi

Laws and rules were clearly spelled and strictly enforcedthrough a system of rewards and punishments

Believed human nature is naturally selfish and people arestupid and short-sided

Power lie in the hands of the state and its rulers

Farmers and solders good!!!

Merchants, aristocrats, and scholars bad and useless

Policy adopted by Qin (Chin) Dynasty under Shihuangdi

ConfucianismConfucianismNever give asword to man who

can’t dance

The Confucian AnswerThe Confucian Answer

Confucius (551-479 BCE) Collected teachings in the book The Analects

Believed the moral example of superiors was the key to restoresocial harmony Five Relationships

Ruler to Subject

Father to Son

Elder Brother to Younger Brother

Husband to Wife

Friend to Friend

Confucius (551-479 BCE) Collected teachings in the book The Analects

Believed the moral example of superiors was the key to restoresocial harmony Five Relationships

Ruler to Subject

Father to Son

Elder Brother to Younger Brother

Husband to Wife

Friend to Friend

The Confucian AnswerThe Confucian Answer

Shaped family and gender relationships as well as political andsocial relationships Reinforced patriarchal society

Stressed filial piety

Emphasized the importance of education Could use to help solve problems of government

Confucius did not promise an eternal reward

Confucianism is a philosophy for this life, NOT a religion

Confucianism lasted and held China together for centuries

Shaped family and gender relationships as well as political andsocial relationships Reinforced patriarchal society

Stressed filial piety

Emphasized the importance of education Could use to help solve problems of government

Confucius did not promise an eternal reward

Confucianism is a philosophy for this life, NOT a religion

Confucianism lasted and held China together for centuries

Discussion Time!Discussion Time!

What are some benefits and limitations of a system such asConfucianism that has very rigid expecations?

What are some benefits and limitations of a system such asConfucianism that has very rigid expecations?

Discussion Time!Discussion Time!

How does family lifeunder Confucianismcompare to family lifetoday?

How does family lifeunder Confucianismcompare to family lifetoday?

DaoismDaoism

Give up learningand put an end toyour troubles

The Daoist AnswerThe Daoist Answer

Critics of Confucianism Ridicule emphasis on education and moral

improvement artificial and useless

Urged withdrawal into nature and spontaneousbehavior

“Confucius roams within society, Laozi wandersbeyond.”

Encourages humans to look away from humancreations and find peace and balance in nature’sexamples

Influential in Chinese medical practices such asacupuncture

Architecture blends into the landscape Best known symbol: Yin-Yang balance

Critics of Confucianism Ridicule emphasis on education and moral

improvement artificial and useless

Urged withdrawal into nature and spontaneousbehavior

“Confucius roams within society, Laozi wandersbeyond.”

Encourages humans to look away from humancreations and find peace and balance in nature’sexamples

Influential in Chinese medical practices such asacupuncture

Architecture blends into the landscape Best known symbol: Yin-Yang balance

Religions in ClassicalIndiaReligions in ClassicalIndia

HinduismHinduism

No single founder Response to brahmin cults

Develops over many years in India

Early on, beliefs passed through oral tradition

Later recorded in sacred texts, including the Vedasand the Upanishads

Hinduism Teaches that there are many manifestationsof the Great Soul of the Universe (Brahman)(a trinity =trimurti)

No single founder Response to brahmin cults

Develops over many years in India

Early on, beliefs passed through oral tradition

Later recorded in sacred texts, including the Vedasand the Upanishads

Hinduism Teaches that there are many manifestationsof the Great Soul of the Universe (Brahman)(a trinity =trimurti)

HinduismHinduism

Caste System was of centralimportance in India All living things participate in the

caste system

Cycles of reincarnation elevatetheir souls to the highest level ofspirituality or MOKSHA, when thesoul becomes one with Braman,the Great Soul

The process can take hundreds ofyears and thousands of lifetimes

A soul can move up or down theladder toward Mokshadepending on Dharma (deeds)and sincerity

Caste System was of centralimportance in India All living things participate in the

caste system

Cycles of reincarnation elevatetheir souls to the highest level ofspirituality or MOKSHA, when thesoul becomes one with Braman,the Great Soul

The process can take hundreds ofyears and thousands of lifetimes

A soul can move up or down theladder toward Mokshadepending on Dharma (deeds)and sincerity

•Priests, scholars, and teachers•Famous members include:

•Jawaharlal Nehru: India’s first prime ministerBrahmin

•Warriors and rulers•Famous members include:•Vasundhara Raje Scindia: Chief minister

of the Indian state of RajasthanKshatriyas

•Traders•Famous members include:

Mohandas Gandhi:Independence leader of India

Vaisya

•Manural workers andservantsSudras

Untouchables or Dalits• Perform unpleasant jobs

like cleaning or leathertanning

HinduismHinduism

Karma Teaches one’s social position in life was a sign of good or bad

deeds performed in a previous life

Levels of Caste If one moved higher on ladder they had demonstrated good

karma in a previous life

If one moved down, …bad karma

The strongest social glue of India

“The Big Constant” Empires come and go

Many invaders

Other Religions

Karma Teaches one’s social position in life was a sign of good or bad

deeds performed in a previous life

Levels of Caste If one moved higher on ladder they had demonstrated good

karma in a previous life

If one moved down, …bad karma

The strongest social glue of India

“The Big Constant” Empires come and go

Many invaders

Other Religions

BuddhismBuddhismHappiness does notdepend on whatyou have or whoare you. It solelyrelies on what youthink

BuddhismBuddhism

Began in South Asia (Northern India) c. 500 BCE

Founder: Prince Siddhartha Gautama Hindu of the Brahman class

Called the Buddha or The Enlightened One

Maintained Hinduism’s belief in reincarnation, howeverit sharply challenged prevailing Hindu thinking NO Caste System

ALL share the same ability to reach NIRVANA

Ridiculed rituals and sacrifices as irrelevant to the hardwork of dealing with one’s suffering

The closer to Nirvana, the less troubled one would be bythe cares of this world

Began in South Asia (Northern India) c. 500 BCE

Founder: Prince Siddhartha Gautama Hindu of the Brahman class

Called the Buddha or The Enlightened One

Maintained Hinduism’s belief in reincarnation, howeverit sharply challenged prevailing Hindu thinking NO Caste System

ALL share the same ability to reach NIRVANA

Ridiculed rituals and sacrifices as irrelevant to the hardwork of dealing with one’s suffering

The closer to Nirvana, the less troubled one would be bythe cares of this world

BuddhismBuddhism

Main teachings maintain that the point to live and toachieving Nirvana was to bring about the end of suffering The Four Noble Truths

In life, there is suffering

Suffering comes from selfish desire

Those seeking the path to nirvana should strive to end suffering

Suffering can end by following the Eight-Fold Path

Main teachings maintain that the point to live and toachieving Nirvana was to bring about the end of suffering The Four Noble Truths

In life, there is suffering

Suffering comes from selfish desire

Those seeking the path to nirvana should strive to end suffering

Suffering can end by following the Eight-Fold Path

BuddismBuddism

The Eight-Fold Path Right View

Right Intention

Right Speech

Right Action

Right Livelihood

Right Effort

Right Mindfulness

Right Concentration

Those who truly followed the Eight-Fold Path would discover thetruth regarding a Supreme Being when they reached nirvana

The Eight-Fold Path Right View

Right Intention

Right Speech

Right Action

Right Livelihood

Right Effort

Right Mindfulness

Right Concentration

Those who truly followed the Eight-Fold Path would discover thetruth regarding a Supreme Being when they reached nirvana

Review!!!!Review!!!!

Based on today’s notes, how did the codification of religioustraditions provide a bond among people and provide anethical code to live by?

How did religious beliefs affect the social order?

How did belief systems affect gender roles during the classicalage?

Based on today’s notes, how did the codification of religioustraditions provide a bond among people and provide anethical code to live by?

How did religious beliefs affect the social order?

How did belief systems affect gender roles during the classicalage?