China and Buddhism Unit 1 Section 5

China and India CHINA Mesopotamia Egypt You are here INDIA

Ancient China Shang China (1700 B.C. – 1100 B.C.) Yangtze and Huang He (Yellow River) Shang China (1700 B.C. – 1100 B.C.) Shang was the first Chinese dynasty Used oracle bones Sometimes called dragon bones Used to predict the future Shang clip

Zhou China (1100 B.C. – 250 B.C.) Established “Mandate of Heaven” (Authority granted by heaven) to validate their rule clip

“Warring States Period” (many large states in China were fighting to control the whole empire) (475 B.C. – 221 B.C.) Golden Age of Chinese Philosophy Taoism- universal force Based on teachings of Laozi Called Tao Te Ching Emphasizes harmony of individual with nature

Confucianism Founded by Kongfuzi (551-479 B.C.) social harmony & good gov’t would return to China if people lived ethically Analects Stressed the importance of five relationships: Ruler & subject Parent & child Filial piety: children respecting their parents Husband & wife Old & young Friend & friend Confucianism vs. Taoism

Legalism Developed from Hanfeizi Humans are evil by nature and need a strict law Used to support strict laws and harsh punishments

Qin (Chin)China (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.) China was unified by Qin Shihuangdi Name means “First Emperor 36 military districts (cells) Legalist form of gov’t destroyed the power of the nobles burned thousands of books relating to philosophy & gov’t forced-labor gangs Each had a civil governor, a military commander, and an imperial inspector Each was subdivided into counties All nobility sent to live in the capital

Achievements of the Qin Standardized the Chinese language Set up a unified law code for China We get the modern day name for China from the Qin Famous for the Terra Cotta Army Great Wall-It stretched 4,000 miles. Standardized system of measurements and currency

Status of Peasants in Chinese culture Social Classes in Chinese Society Status of Peasants in Chinese culture ≈ 90% of all the people-lived in villages Paid taxes of produce and livestock & had to work one month a year on public works projects (roads, walls, etc.) Could be drafted into the army Patriarchal Family Top – oldest male (father), followed by males in chronological order, then females Role of the Father Determined education, career & marriages for his children Controlled finances Structured, each member had specific duties

Buddhism Related to Hinduism Shares belief of: Founded by Siddhartha Gautama Called Buddha Means “Enlightened One” Related to Hinduism Shares belief of: Karma -(accumulation of good or bad deeds) Dharma -(but in this case is the teachings of Buddha telling you how to act/live) Reincarnation (rebirth) Differs: Rejection of caste system

More philosophy than religion, but can be considered both or either Teachings: Four Noble Truths: The truth of suffering (dukkha) The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya) The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha) The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga) By following the Eightfold Path one could eliminate desires Purpose: To reach nirvana (enlightenment) 1. All people suffer and know sadness and sorrow 2. People suffer because of their material desires 3. Suffering could end by elimination desires More philosophy than religion, but can be considered both or either The Middle Way is important Away from extremes Moderation

Diffusion of Buddhism Ashoka was the first ruler to send out Buddhist missions to convert other nations, helping the religion spread

Diffusion of Buddhism

The Three Teachings