Religion and Philosophy of India and China

Hinduism	Buddhism	Confucianism
Oldest, most complex No one identifiable founder 3rd millennium India within Hinduism, you can find almost any style or form of religion infinite views no missionary imperative atman is the universal soul Aryan = sanskrit for "noble ones" Vedas = collection of sacred hymns and prayers outlined dharma (duties) Saw the world as a place of sadness and suffering Reincarnation = determined by karma  Brahma = single, supreme force that unifies the universe Brahmans = priests; rituals opened door to salvation Brahma = creator Vishnu = preserver Shiva = destroyer Goal in life to free the soul from individual existence through atman Teachings support caste system. Varnas/ Jati	Buddhism was a reformation of Hinduism Siddhartha Guatama became Buddha = "enlightened one" after meditating 6th century India had no intention of founding a religion active missionary imperative Soul does not exist Asoka did for Buddhism what Constantine did for Christianity Three Baskets of Wisdom – sacred texts Saw world as a place of sadness and suffering Endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth Four Noble Truths = misery is universal, cause of misery is desire, overcome desire to end misery and follow the Middle Way Eight-Fold Path = know the truth, say nothing to hurt others, free mind of evil, practice meditation, respect life, control your thoughts, work for the good of others and resist evil. Goal is to reach nirvana – the condition of wanting nothing Any caste, any sex can find salvation	Founder of a religion? Or a philosophy? Confucius (Kongzi) = scholar, minor gov’t official and teacher of noble families After 479 B.C. no intention of founding a religion Five Basic Relationships: Ruler/Subject Parent/Child (filial piety) Husband/Wife Old/Young Friend/Friend Each one owes respect and obedience to those above Confucius did not write books, but followers collected his sayings – called Analects never spoke of an afterlife in heaven or hell or rewards or punishments for deeds on Earth. "li" = propriety, rites, ceremonies and courtesy live by "li" and the world would run smoothly; social harmony Reciprocity = do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.  follow principles of ethics – good conduct and moral judgment If each person accepted their role and performed its duties – social and political disorder would end.