Key Terms – The Maurya Empire

1. Eightfold Path Key Terms – The Maurya Empire • Chandragupta Maurya • Maurya Empire • Pataliputra • Asoka • Buddhism • Siddhartha Gautama • Nirvana • Four Noble Truths

2. Chandragupta Maurya (ruled 321-298 B.C.) • Managed to use the confusion caused by the sudden death of Alexander to establish an empire. • Ruled over a small territory in the Ganges Valley. • Would gain control of Northern India and break up his territory into small provinces

3. Maurya Empire • Chandragupta would establish the Maurya Empire in India. • Captial would be established at Pataliputra off of the Ganges River. • Established a large bureaucracy and used his agents to oversee the other provinces.

4. Asoka • Asoka, grandson of Chandraupta would expand the Maurya Empire to control almost all of India. • Would lead a conversion to Buddhism after an extremely brutal battle. • The Empire would break up shortly after his death.

5. Siddhartha Gautama • S. Gautama → prince who founded the Buddhist philosophy in the 6th Century B.C. • According to a prophecy, Siddhartha was to either to become a great king or a holy man. He would be sheltered to prevent the latter. • Upon being able to see the world outside, Gautama would meditate until he reached enlightenment.

6. Buddhism • Buddhism → religion in which believers seek an ultimate enlightenment and union with the universe. • Buddhists believe that by having great karma, one can achieve ultimate enlightenment or nirvana. • Buddhists do not believe in the caste system and believe that reincarnation is a cycle one wishes to escape. • There are two major guidelines and beliefs that Buddhists agree to: The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

7. The Four Noble Truths • The Four Noble Truths are the basic beliefs of Buddhists that once accepted allow for the path of enlightenment to be opened. • 1. All life is suffering. • 2. The cause of suffering is selfish desire. • 3. The only way to end suffering is to end desire. • 4. The only way to end desire is to follow the Eightfold Path.

8. The Eightfold Path • The Eightfold Path serves as a guideline for behavior within the religion of Buddhism. • They are; • Right views → viewing reality as what it is • Right intention → intention of renunciation, freedom and harmlessness • Right speech → speaking in a truthful way • Right action → acting in a non-harmful way • Right Livelihood → a non-harmful livelihood • Right effort → an effort to improve • Right mindfulness → awareness to see things for what they are • Right Concentration → meditation