More Axial AgeMore Axial Age

back to India ca. 500 B.C. caste system in place development of Hinduism

– Brahmin priests

LiteratureLiterature

the Brahmanas: metaphysical speculation

the Upanishads: central concepts of Hinduism– ascetics– the Jungle Schools

Central ConceptsCentral Concepts

Brahman: the universal spiritual reality behind all perceptions

Atman: the human soul Karma: “actions have consequences”

– not “sin”

Goal of the AsceticsGoal of the Ascetics

mystic ecstasy enlightenment unification of Brahman and the Atman karma: affects the rate of enlightenment

Road to EnlightenmentRoad to Enlightenment

getting rid of negative karma absence of bodily desires then the Atman could merge with

Brahman eternally

Other Responses to BrahmansOther Responses to Brahmans

Charvakas: atheists Jainists, Buddhists

JanismJanism

Nigantha Nataputta the Vardhamana Mahavira Left a wealthy, aristocratic family to lead

an ascetic life 7th century movement based upon the

Upanishads

Nigantha Nataputta

the Vardhamana Mahavira

Modern Jain temple and worshipper

Rock shrines

The Mahavira

Janism, con’tJanism, con’t

salvation from the cycle of souls all souls are trapped in matter all things possess souls

– both animate and inanimate penance frees the soul from matter

(karma)

BuddhismBuddhism

Siddhartha Gautama: the Buddha The Four Sights search for enlightenment the bo tree: illusion and enlightenment salvation by moderation

– the Middle Path

Fasting

Siddhartha Gautama

before his enlightenment under the bodhi tree

Central Ideas: all life is sufferingCentral Ideas: all life is suffering

the Four Noble Truths– all life is suffering– desire causes suffering– suffering can be avoided by non-desiring– desire can be stopped by meditation and

the Noble Eightfold Path Correct knowledge and good habits can

annihilate suffering

Central Ideas, con’tCentral Ideas, con’t

The Noble Eightfold Path– right views, right aspirations– right speech, right conduct– right livelihood, right effort– right mindedness, right rapture

Buddha of the Great Wonders

Gandhara,

3rd-4th century A.D.

Teaching Buddha

Sarnath, 5th century A.D.

The Buddha of Gandhara

2nd century A.D.

Various busts of the Buddha

Wheel of Dharma

Buddhist SocietyBuddhist Society

no fixed hierarchies no priest, but individual responsibility decisions: free and democratic equality among Buddhists

ProblemsProblems

the Buddha did not write things down several version of what he said

– the Pali Canon of Ceylon

Common ideasCommon ideas

transmigration of souls effects of Karma the Noble Eight Fold Path of Thoughts

and Deeds nirvana: “blowing out”

– annihilation of the “ego”

Buddhist SchoolsBuddhist Schools

Hinayana – (“the Lesser Vehicle” / “The Little Raft”)– no works after 480 B.C. accepted– Ceylon, Indo-China

Mahayana– (“the Greater Vehicle /”The Big Raft”)– Tibetan Buddhism, Chan, Zen, etc.

BuddhismBuddhism

students spread his message compiled “correct teachings” disagreements

Challenge to BrahmansChallenge to Brahmans

egalitarian “gender-less” appealed to those not of the aristocracy education to any who wished it ridiculed the Brahmans

Buddhism: “doctrine”Buddhism: “doctrine”

favored individual self-examination no empty ritual no caste system hostile Brahman reaction

Rise of the Mauryan EmpireRise of the Mauryan Empire

Alexander the Great Chandragupta Maurya (322-298 B.C.) Ashoka

Kingdom of Magadha

Most significant remaining kingdom after Alexander’s departure

Central Ganges plain Economic strength

– Agriculture– Trade in Ganges valley, Bay of Bengal

Dominated surrounding regions in north-eastern India

The Mauryan and Gupta empires321 B.C.E.-550 C.E.

AshokaAshoka

most powerful ruler converted to Buddhism spread the Dharma throughout the land

Ashoka Maurya

Grandson of Chandragupta

Represents high point of Mauryan Empire, r. 268-232 BCE

Expanded empire to include all of Indian subcontinent except for south

Positive rulership integrated Indian society

Pillar of Ashoka, proclaiming the dharma throughout India

The DharmaThe Dharma

peace, pacifism, moderation roads, hospitals, rest houses promoted vegetarianism

– condemned bloody sacrifices threatened the Brahmans with loss of

power largely unsuccessful

Brahmans adopt Buddhist thoughtBrahmans adopt Buddhist thought necessary to be competitive Buddha was Vishnu more interaction with the people aided by Buddhist theological

arguments

BrahmansBrahmans

the soul was real ultimate purpose: fuse with the divine spread to all levels of society oldest and most successful of the major,

world religions

Buddhism?Buddhism?

declined in India successful in China, Nepal, Indo-China,

Japan– and now, America

The Eight Auspicious Symbols

Tibetan Buddhism

Lord Shakyamuni Buddha

The Green Tara

the Bodhisattva

of Active Compassion

Four-Armed Chenreisg (Sanskrit: Avalokiteshvara) The Bodhisattva of Compassion

Maitreya - The Future Buddha

Sakyamuni, Burma

Standing Buddha Mongolia

Kamakura Buddha, Japan

Amida Buddha

Shin (Pure Land) Buddhism

Japan

Cyber Buddha

Books you can read

Edward Conze. Buddhism: Its Essense and Development

Juan Mascaro, trans. The Bhagavada Gita Kenneth K.S. Chen. Buddhism: The Light of Asia Noble Ross Reat. Buddhism. A History Andrew Skilton. A Concise History of Buddhism John Snelling. The Buddhist Handbook: A Complete

Guide to Buddhist, Schools, Teaching Practice, and History

Peter Harvey. An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History, and Practices

www.etsu.edu/cas/history/religionsbib.htm