Priests In Ancient Religions

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

Buddhism and Christianity came about before 600 C.E. and reformed the ideals of social structure and society of their era. Both the Buddha and Christ taught during a large political collapse, focusing on the spirituality and morality of a person in society. These like monotheistic religious views both had a central doctrine but held different positions on how to acquire this truth. Buddhist and Christians teachings both challenged social norms by preaching equality among all both in gender and in statues. Buddhism and Christianity, before 600 C.E. similarly, influenced social structures by introducing social and gender equality, promoted classless beliefs systems, and an emphasis on compassion, in contrast, Christianity held political power and leadership, while Buddhism had no political authority.

A thing that appealed the people of the Classical Period about this two religions and led to the spread and evangelization of them was the fact that they both promised their followers salvation. As it is stated in the paragraph before their followers state of salvation was achieved when reaching the Nirvana or Heaven. During the Classical Period people were in a state of chaos, the lower class was losing the lands they used for agriculture, middle class’ trade was being affected, and upper class were losing power. These three different social classes needed the hope of salvation, the one that Buddhism and Christianity could give them. Another thing that appealed about these two religions, specially to the lower class was the Universality of it. You were spiritually equal to Buddha or God no matter what, not even social class or race. Also, both of them were against slavery. At last, was how personal it was. You could directly interact with God or Buddha by praying or meditating, which supposedly will help you and direct you throughout your life.

Buddhism, a group of beliefs and practices which make up a prominent religion founded by Siddhartha Guatama, plays an imperative role in the court system. While the court systems tend to rule through aristocracy, an important few citizens rule, in a manner where most people of power are hereditary elite or have been elected by those who rule based on the vital qualities certain people possess. One example of Buddhism playing a large role in the life of aristocracy

The Greek and Roman religions were the two major religions that were established in the ancient world. Greek religion was the first to be recognized and instituted, followed by the Roman religion. Many people believed that the Romans mimicked the Greek religion; however this was a common misconception, even though they appeared to be the same there are many distinctions between the Romans and the Greeks. Even the similarities between the two religions had slight distinctions, like their gods, they had similar functions but some of their gods were completely unique to one culture (Ferguson 154). Roman religion also had different concepts like religio, ideas about afterlife and gods that emphasis on household religion. The Romans integrated certain aspects of Greek religion into their own practices, they also maintained their own ideas which made it unique and separated the Romans from the Greeks.

Also, Buddhism was a more peaceful and calm religion. Unlike in Buddhism, in Hinduism there was a caste system. It was a group from a social system. Hindus had gone by using a caste system, but it was rejected in the Buddhism community which resulted in many Buddhist being laborers and craftspeople. Hindus and Buddha both had different beliefs. For example, “Hindus saw religion as a way of liberating the soul from illusions, disappointments, and mistakes of everyday existence.” (World History Patterns of Interaction, 2005)

One of the most early religions are Judaism and Buddhism. Both Judaism and Buddhism have lots of differences beliefs and practices and only few similarities. Judaism was started in 2000 B.C.E, led by Abraham. Buddhism was started in 560 B.C.E, by Siddhartha Gautama. Both religions have different point of view. Buddhism don’t believe in deity and Judaism believe in deity. Buddhism are just followers of Gautama and Judaism believe in Yahweh (the God Abraham believed in). It is important to know all this because it tells us when the religions were started and how different they are from one another.

went out of their way to follow “its” commands. The buddhists distanced themselves from the

Buddhism was a powerful force in politics and in everyday life. It was a tool of the ruling class to appease the people in times of hardship - such as the political disunity in between dynasties. However, when the times changed, Buddhism was also blamed for much of the trouble, and for edging out the much more strict doctrine of Confucianism. Most of the documents presented indicated a spread nonetheless of Buddhism among the people. Additional documents needed to further evaluate the response to Buddhism should be from a source of a slightly lower class, such as a merchant, or a view from a convert to Buddhism - since most views seem to be from Confucian

Because Buddhism did not originate in China, many people during the Tang dynasty turned against it. Han Yu, a leading Confucian scholar, called Buddhism a religion created by “barbarians” who knew nothing China’s history or culture (Document 4). This perspective is not surprising, as Confucianism was deeply rooted in China’s history unlike Buddhism which has simply spread to China by trade. Later, in 845 C.E., Tang Emperor Wu said that Buddhism would only decrease productivity and put China’s people at a disadvantage (Document 6). This view also made sense because of Confucians’s five relationships. One of these important relationships is an Emperor’s duty to his people. Buddhist monastic lands, by law, could not be taxed or forced to serve the country in labor. According the Emperor Wu, not having all hands on deck would only slow down or possibly reverse the country’s

When taking the communal path to reach salvation, some people decide to become obedient monks and live in monasteries. Once in a monastery, monks are

In the ancient Roman world, religion played the most important role in everyday life, as well as in matters of the state. The Romans looked to the gods for political stability and for control of the unexplainable and natural phenomenon. The gods were believed to control all aspects of Roman life, and for that reason, a great deal of importance was placed in the appropriate worship of the gods. Women played an extremely influential role in ancient Roman religion. Not only did they participate in religious rituals, but some even held religious positions as Vestal Virgins.

In early India, there were many types of religions, two of which being Hinduism and Buddhism. Both Hinduism and Buddhism were extremely important religions in Early India. They shared some similarities and differences in qualities regarding their origins, sacred texts, and different beliefs. Hinduism believed in reincarnation and karma as it would help them in their coming life and will move them higher on the caste system, opposed to Buddhism which believed more in doing the right thing and not hurting anyone or anything because they believed that all deserve to be treated correctly. Buddhism was not about the caste system like Hinduism, it was more about being a good human being and that karma will return to you. The people that looked more in Buddhism were the people who were the rejects of the caste system.

– “The years as they come bring many agreeable things with them; as they go, they take many away” – Horace (65BC – 8BC)

The first Indian ruler to become a Buddhist was Ashoka. “Ashoka's patronage, however, was especially important in the history of Buddhism, for he not only sustained the faith at an important point in its development but spread it far beyond his own borders.” Ashoka had commands engraved on pillars, which was a big impact on the spread of Buddhism in communities. “Central Asia became a major center of Buddhism by the first century C.E., and from there the faith spread along the Silk Road and into China and Korea.” Because of Ashoka, religions were passed quickly through the Silk Roads. Gregory, the Wonderworker converted people into Christianity. Christian communities thrived in Mediterranean basin by late third century C.E. Christians also attracted people from southwest Asia and in the Roman Empire. Individuals started isolated themselves and lived like hermits, devoting their time to praise God.