Even though the Neolithic Revolution, the rise of the Mongol Khanates, and the Crusades can be considered a turning point in world history, Buddhism can be considered a turning point in world history because the theme of state-building, expansion, and conflict; the development and transformation of social structure; and the development and interaction of cultures. Buddhism emerged around the 5th century B.C.E. in India. It was founded by a Brahman Prince named Siddhartha Gautama. Gautama wanted to create a religion that would diversify from Hinduism in India. In the first body paragraph, the development and interaction of culture will be explained. In the second body paragraph, the development and transformation of social structure will be assessed. In the third body paragraph, the theme of state-building, expansion, and …show more content…
Before the emergence of Buddhism, the Mauryan empire in India had the belief of there being a caste system in place in the society which separated the Indian citizens into social groups ranging from the untouchable to the kings and priest. In China, Confucianism emphasized a five key relationships social structure which was ruler to subject, father to son, husband to wife, elder to younger, and friend to friend. In Confucianism, the king or emperor was the highest authority in the land. After the emergence of Buddhism in India, the caste system was abolished because Gupta thought that the caste system was unethical which allowed it to appear to the lower class and creating a large base of Buddhist in India. On the other hand in China, people also adopted Buddhism because it allowed the lower class not accepted in Confucianism to be accepted and Buddhism gave women some sort of religious equality and importance to men, which was rare during those
Beginning in the 5th century, Buddhism became a very popular form of religion throughout Asia. Because this was such a diverse and widely followed religion, it introduced many different architectural and innovational developments that had influence from Buddhism, but depending on the region, the styles changed. Also, High officials, like Ashoka, whose’ primary influence came from Buddhism, created practices for his people to follow and live by to bring peace to his kingdom. As this religion was gaining popularity throughout Asia, the transformation that it took was very diverse and long term.
Although both civilizations developed at different points in history, Han China and Mauryan/Guptan empires both used social hierarchy to maintain political control. While India had a ridged caste system with Brahmin, at the top of the social caste system, followed by Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sudras and lastly at the bottom of the caste system Pariah. As for China whose social hierchary was more complex than India and set in a class system instead of a Caste system the ruler was at the top, then the father who was seen has the face of the family, son, husband and wife, oldest son, and youngest brother. Han China was more focused on literacy while in classical India the caste system was based on who
China was greatly influenced by Confucian beliefs, especially during the Han Dynasty. Confucianists believe the key to harmony is good morals throughout society and the acceptance and respect of unequal relationships. Chinese Confucianists thought that society would run smoothly, as long as each person completed their respective tasks. Tang Emperor Wu stated that Buddhism allowed monks and nuns to not do their part in society, and therefore Buddhism needed to be eradicated from Chinese society (Document 6). Emperor Wu’s point of view does not reflect the viewpoint of the lower classes, especially Buddhist supporters, because he is an emperor who lives a lavish life. Emperor Wu fully supports Confucianism and has been educated using Confucian beliefs throughout his life, which further influences his negative opinion on Buddhism expressed in the proclamation. The unequal relationships between ruler and subject, or father and son, were present throughout Chinese society and were important to the success of the empire. Han Yu, a Confucian scholar, explained that the Buddha did not conform to Chinese laws or understand the unequal relationships present in Chinese culture, in order to convince the population that Buddhism does not belong in China (Document 4). The intended audience of the statement by Han Yu is the Chinese upper class in order to prevent further conversion and acceptance of Buddhism. Confucianism was most popular among the upper classes, due to the extensive education the wealthy received based on Confucianism. Negative responses were common among the Chinese population due to the many differences between Buddhist and Confucian
Buddhism has been around for over two thousand years, and continues to do so in many countries around the world. This religion originates in Asia and has a very unique adversity, much of its structure arose from the end of World War II, predominantly Asian nations needed to restructure society (RoAT 167). The word ‘Buddha’ means one who has awakened and will no longer be reborn. Thereafter, one who will enter nirvana, the state of being free from suffering.
Buddhism was transformed by Hellenism and other east-west connections during the first millennium CE. “In addition to Hellenism, other layers of influence came together in South Asia through increased seafaring and interaction with nomadic peoples.”1 These Kushans brought
In classical India, the religion of Buddhism was formed in reaction to the strict ways of Hinduism. Many people, mainly lower class, converted to seek a better life and be enlightened more efficiently. This new religion made its way to China where much of its population converted through trade and missionaries. The conversion of Buddhism in China caused many effects of the spread of Buddhism because of its influential impacts from 300 to 900 CE which are influencing the government, caused some people to reject it, and mainly was a unifying force for China. An effect the spread of Buddhism is the influence of its morals on China’s government in 300-900 CE (Doc’s 1, 7). On some occasions Chinese people vehemently rejected Buddhism and rather practice more Chinese driven religion (Doc’s 5, 7). The most impactful effect of the spread of Buddhism is its ability to unite the Chinese in the way of
Hinduism and Buddhism are among the oldest traditions in the world. Incidentally, both traditions have their roots in India. Since their beginning, both traditions have co-existed peacefully and even spread beyond India in similar patterns. Most people have scattered information about the traditions and make assumptions that they are similar. However, they also have clear distinguishing features. This paper intends to study the similarities and contrasts between the two traditions in various contexts. First, the traditions will be compared and contrasted based on how they began. The development processes of both religions will then be contrasted. The paper will then discuss the similarities and differences between the two religions based on the social and the political roles they played.
Compare and Contrast: The Spread of Christianity and Buddhism in the End of the Classical Period.
Buddhism establishment by Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise known as the Buddha, since in the late 6th century has expanded its influence originating from India expanding throughout the region. Imprinting itself within Asian societies leaving traces of its influence on their respective cultures practices and customs. From Buddhism many deities and Bodhisattva’s emerged, one of them is Bodhisattva Kannon. Throughout Kannon’s existence it has gone changes in it’s being from its purposes and appearance. An Asian society influenced by Buddhism is Japan and from such interaction as experienced alterations to its culture, which can be seen in myths of the time period.
Hinduism, Confucianism, and Buddhism are three of the world’s greatest belief systems, each with their similarities and their differences. In their respective nations, they each had significant political, religious, and social impacts on society. Politically, the ideals of Hinduism and Confucianism closely align. In Hinduism they believed in a caste system where there existed 5 castes, the Brahman, priests; Kshatriyas, warriors; Vaishya, farmers and merchants; Shundras, peasants; and the Dalits (untouchables), butchers or anyone who has a job considered “unclean”.
When I accustomed be reading the chosen religion of the book for this chapter, I stumbled on some of things that I found fascinating. In this chapter we learn about Buddhism and we all knew that the foundation of Buddhism is it was started by Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhism, like most various religions, and they do have an originated in a passing specific place at a particular time like many other religion does. The believer and practice in this religion is more in Asian country as I know.
He was born in the 6th century BCE, a time of great turmoil and political change in India; many were unsatisfied with the Vedic religion, and new teachings had emerged, among them the Upanishads. The Buddha stood largely outside the Vedic tradition, criticizing many of its central teachings. Nevertheless, he had been influenced by that tradition and his teachings in turn would have a profound effect on later teachers in the Hindu tradition, such as Shankara; even in such Hindu classics as the Bhagavad Gita, some reaction can be seen to Buddhist teachings. But later centuries would see the Buddha's influence wane in India and instead spread to other Asian countries. Today Buddhism has spread throughout the world. Various sects have arisen as later teachers have reinterpreted and expounded upon the Buddha's basic teachings. Buddhism may be considered a religion, a philosophy, a way of life, or all three; here we will deal mainly with Buddhism as a philosophical system.
Furthermore, Buddhism was founded in the late 6th century B.C.E. by a man named Siddhartha Gautama, who is infamously known as the Buddha. Buddhism is the most influential religion in a lot of the Asian countries. Buddhism has assumed many different forms over the years, but there has always been an attempt to draw from the Buddha’s life experiences and the essence of his teachings, known as dharma. These life experiences and teachings model an appropriate religious life. However, it wasn’t until the first or second century that there was a complete account of the Buddha’s life and that was due to the writing of Buddha Charita, which is the life of Buddha, by Ashvaghosa (The Origins of Buddhism).
The ancient groups started to asking questions like, “why were we placed on earth”? and “what happens to us when we die”? In India, when the growth of Hinduism and Buddhism was born this gave India a form of social control. The Buddhism emperor Ashoka influence his policies towards India. In China, when the development of Chinese philosophies such as Daoism, Confucianism, and Legalism were represented as social control. Confucianism was made by an aristocrat named Confucius. Confucius wanted to discover how to bring back peace. The Chinese bureaucracy was born once Confucius supporters kept a record of all his analects. When the supports recorded his thoughts, this became a biased study. Confucianism focuses on the relationships and individual’s duty to China religion. Chinese people take respect of the elderly and everyone very important. Their society structures are
Social Dimension: In this paragraph, we will shed a light on the social effect of Buddhism in India. Buddhism can be referred as “a new outlook” in ancient Indians’ life: it changed Vanna system, which determined the society according to various grades (Banerjee, 2007, p. 5). During the revival of Buddhism, the Indian society was divided into four groups, which were Khatiyya, Brahmana, Vessa and Sudda. Brahmans enjoyed superiority on