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Buddhism Turning Point

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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

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