Emergence & Spread of Belief Systems

1. Emergence & Spread of Belief Systems • Indian Religions • Chinese Philosophies • Judaism • Christianity • Islam

2. Indian Religions • Hinduism • Brahmins (priests) – meditations • Reincarnation & karma • Religious tradition more than a religion • Incorporates many traditions • Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu – principle gods • Goal – to achieve inner perfection & become part of the world soul

3. Vishnu – Supreme god Brahma –god of creation Shiva – god of destruction

4. Vedas – primary sacred texts • Upanishads – elaborate on how the soul (atman) can be united with the Brahman • Puranas – history of the universe from creation to destruction ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ • Caste system (social rank) • Brahmin – highest (priests) • Kshatriyas – rulers & warriors • Vaisyas – merchants & professionals • Sudras – workers & servants • Untouchables

5. Buddhism • Siddhartha Gautama (563-483) • Protected from the outside world • Decided to seek a path to enlightenment • Search for the meaning of life • To escape cycle of birth and death • Achieve state of spiritual understanding (nirvana)

6. Became the “Buddha” (Enlightened One) • To attain enlightenment & enter nirvana • Middle Way – avoid uncontrolled satisfaction & desire • Eightfold Path – means of achieving a cessation of suffering

9. Chinese Philosophies • CONFUCIANISM - Confucius (Kong Fuzi) • Searching for the key to solving China’s problem of disorder • How to achieve the ideal way of life & social harmony • Unequal relationships • Superior to Inferior (father to son; king to subject) • Ren – goodness, benevolence, nobility of heart • Essential ingredient of a tranquil society • Education as the key to moral betterment

10. Importance of History • Desire to restore a past golden age • By making use of superior talents • Led to opportunity for social mobility • Defined Chinese culture • Family became model for political life • Filial piety of utmost importance • Honoring one’s ancestors • Women as submissive to husband/fathers

11. Confucian Wisdom: • Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes • Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. • Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. • Respect yourself and others will respect you. • Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in getting up everytime we do.

13. TAOISM • Laozi (Lao-tzu) – mythical “founder” • A way of life in which one should seek to live in balance with the flow of natural events • Tao – mystical source of and ideal of all existence • Goal of life – achieving harmony with the Tao

14. Judaism • Origins • Abraham • Sumerian • Small, nomadic tribe • Settled in Canaan (Israel) around 1950BC • Hebrew Religion & Bible • Monotheistic • Chosen people – covenant with God • As long as followed God’s laws, would have protection • Yahweh • Ethical, forgiving God • Creator of everything

15. History of the Jewish People • Time of Famine – fled to Egypt (~1700BC) • Forced into slavery • Exodus – Moses led them (1250-1225BC) • Ten Commandments • Development of an advanced civilization • Saul - first Hebrew king • Gained full control of Israel • David • Made Jerusalem the capital • Ark of the Covenant

16. Solomon • Built first Jewish Temple in Jerusalem • Other improvements to Jerusalem • Palace for himself • Increased trade & alliances w/ other peoples • Kingdom divided into two halves • North – Kingdom of Israel • South – Kingdom of Judah • Attacks by other people (Diaspora) • 722 BC -- Assyrians under Sargon II invaded Israel • 597 BC -- Nebuchadnezzar overran Jerusalem • Babylonian Captivity • 538 BC Persians freed them