New belief systems and cultural traditions emerged and spread asserting universal truths.

1. New belief systems and cultural traditions emerged and spread asserting universal truths. What is a “universal religion?” Where did universal religions exist by 600 CE?

2. Buddhism • Began in South Asia (Northern India) c. 500 BCE • Founder: Prince Siddhartha Gautama • Called the Buddha or The Enlightened One • Maintained Hinduism’s belief in reincarnation • NO Caste System • ALL share the same ability to reach NIRVANA • The closer to Nirvana, the less troubled one would be by the cares of this world

3. Buddhism • Main teachings maintain that the point to live and to achieving Nirvana was to bring about the end of suffering • The Four Noble Truths • In life, there is suffering • Suffering comes from selfish desire • Those seeking the path to nirvana should strive to end suffering • Suffering can end by following the Eight-Fold Path

4. Buddhism • The Eight-Fold Path • Right View • Right Intention • Right Speech • Right Action • Right Livelihood • Right Effort • Right Mindfulness • Right Concentration

5. Origins of World Belief Systems • Buddhism • Ashoka • Missionaries • Merchants

6. Origins of World Belief Systems • Confucianism • Social harmony • Five Relationships • Filial piety Clear set of rules for moral behavior and family and political order

7. Origins of World Belief Systems • Daoism • Balance between humans and nature • Harmony in all things • Distinct opposition to Confucianism

8. Daoist Influences Close connections between humans and nature Represents order and spontaneity

9. Origins of World Belief Systems • Christianity Preached salvation through faith in him, the Son of God; Teaches equality among believers

10. Spreading Faiths • Both Buddhism and Christianity gained more followers outside of their region of origin • Monastic life • Buddhism spread east across the Indian Ocean and by the Silk Roads by missionaries and merchants • Message of peace very appealing • Buddhism changed to a Salvationist faith as it spread east – Mahayana • Theravada This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

11. Diffusion of Belief Systems

12. Changes in religions: Constantine made Christianity official religion of Roman Empire CONSTANTINE SEEING VISION OF THE CROSS

13. Greco-Roman religious and philosophical traditions This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC • Hellenism • Valued individual inquiry • Emphasized order, symmetry and balance • Logic and philosophy • Hold hypothesis without experimentation • Celebrated ideal

14. Art and Architecture Reflect the values and belief systems This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

15. Animism and Shamanism • Adapting to environment • Do not have written guidelines to shape adherents beliefs • Most began in the oral tradition before writing • Both hold great reverence for deceased ancestors who guide the lives of the living • Continue to be popular in areas of Africa, Andes and some parts of the East Asia and Native America

16. Animism • Belief the natural world has spiritual powers • All things have a spirit and all spirits must be appeased This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

17. Shamanism • Belief human spirit guides are contacts between this world and the spirit world • Believed to have the power to heal physical and spiritual illnesses

18. Belief Systems and Gender Roles • Belief systems play a major part in development of gender roles • Men dominate the leadership of all major religions • Women sometimes served in similar capacities as priestesses, prophets and missionaries • Both Buddhism and Christianity offer women opportunities to serve the religious communities as nuns (monasticism)