Transcript Religion and Philosophy in Asia

Religion and Philosophy in Asia
Objective-I can explain the
fundamental concepts of Asian
religious and philosophical thought.
• How did Asia’s physical environment affect its
cultural development?
The Beginnings of Hinduism
• In about 700 B.C., several Indian religious
thinkers began to teach in the forests of the
Ganges Plain
• They told exciting stories and used tales of
heroes and great events to pass along
religious traditions.
• During this same time, a rigid caste system
was beginning to form.
• Four distinct varnas, or social classes, emerged
• There was a fifth group called Pariahs, or
“untouchables.”
Untouchables
• “Not only does one not take water from them,
they may not even take water from the same
well… Not only does one not marry them, they
may not even enter the temple or the house
or stroll on the main village streets. Even their
cattle may often not drink from the same pool
as (others).”
Hindu Thought
• A divine essence called Brahman fills
everything in the world. People have an
individual essence, called Self or Atman.
• Hinduism teaches that Brahman and Atman
are one and the same.
• All things in the universe are of the same
essence as God.
Hindu Thought
• People can gain salvation only if they reject
worldliness.
• It can take many lifetimes to fully reject the
world.
• Hindus believe that souls do not die, but can
be reborn (reincarnation).
Two Words
• Dharma means doing one’s moral duty in this life
so that the soul can advance in the next life.
• Karma is the good or bad force created by a
person’s actions.
• People who fulfill their dharma gain good karma
and are born into a higher social group in the
next life.
• How would this work well with India’s caste
system?
Hindu Culture
• Hindus often practice yoga, a set of mental
and physical exercises designed to bring the
body and soul together.
• Some Hindus see certain animals as
particularly sacred. Cows are special because
they traditionally provided power for plows
and carts. They also produce milk and butter
for food.
• For these reasons cows are protected by law.
The Rise of Buddhism
• Buddhism also arose in India.
Siddhartha Gautama
• Read Page 63
Buddhist Teachings
• The Buddha accepted some Hindu ideas,
including reincarnation.
• He believed that the progress of the soul
depends on the life a person leads- good is
rewarded and evil is punished.
• However salvation comes from knowing the
“Four Noble Truths” and following the
“Eightfold Path.”
The Four Noble Truths
• All human life involves suffering and sorrow.
• The desire for a life of pleasure and material
gain causes suffering and sorrow.
• Renouncing desire frees people from suffering
and helps their souls attain nirvana.
• The Eightfold Path leads to renunciation, or
denial of desire and attainment of nirvana.
The Eightfold Path
• Read chart on page 64.
The Spread of Buddhism
• The Buddha gained only a few followers in his
lifetime.
• Over several centuries his teachings won wide
acceptance in Asia.
• Two branches: Theravada and Mahayana
Geography Skills
• Look at page 77 and answer questions 1-4
Confucius
• A great philosopher lived in Ancient China
from 551-479 BC
• Confucius’ followers collected his ideas and
teachings in a work called the Analects.
• Read the section on Confucius on page 90.
Confucius Sayings
• Before you embark on a journey of revenge,
dig two graves.
• Everything has its beauty but not everyone
sees it.
• Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that
carry them far apart.
• Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in
getting up every time we do.
• Create your own saying like Confucius
Sources
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