buddhism and india’s golden age
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BUDDHISM AND INDIA’S GOLDEN AGE
THE RISE OF BUDDHISM
Began in India Based on teachings of Siddhartha
Gautama- a prince who spent his life trying to understand the meaning of life He was called “Buddha” which
means “Enlightened One”
BUDDHA’S EARLY LIFE
He was born a Hindu prince (around 563BC) who was predicted to be a holy man one day
His father did not want this for Siddhartha, so he sheltered him from the outside world
Siddhartha never saw any negative things until he was 29 years old
When he did finally see them, he was gravely upset and fled to find peace
BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS
For 6 years, Buddha fasted, but that did not help him feel better
He then began meditating under a fig tree; until he thought of the Four Noble Truths:1. Existence is suffering.2. Suffering comes from wanting what one doesn’t
have or from wanting life to be different.3. People can stop suffering by not wanting.4. People can stop wanting by following an 8-fold
path.
THE EIGHT-FOLD PATH OR DHARMA
1. Right opinions/view2. Right intentions3. Right speech4. Right actions5. Right livelihood6. Right effort7. Right
concentration8. Right
meditation/mind
If one follows this 8-fold path, one can reach nirvana, the end of suffering. This would also be the end of reincarnation.
It is often illustrated as a wheel.
BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS #2
Buddha did not worship Hindu gods
Buddha believed in ahimsa, the practice of non-violence
THE MAURYA EMPIRE
For centuries, many Aryan kingdoms battled for control of India.
About 550BC, Magadha, a NE kingdom began to grow strong
In 321 BC, Chandragupta Maurya, the king of Magadha, moved northwest and seized all the land to the Indus River.
CHANDRAGUPTA
He ruled by using spies and a large army.
His army included 600,000 foot soldiers, 30,000 mounted horse soldiers and 9,000 elephants.
He taxed people heavily to pay for his large government.
Legend says that he became a Jainist monk at the end of his life.
ASOKA
Grandson of Chandragupta; said to be the greatest king
Began rule in 272BC Early in his reign, he fought and won a
bloody war against a neighboring kingdom
He decided after this to rule using Buddhist teachings
PERIOD OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY
During Asoka’s rule, the empire set up hospitals, rest houses and wells to improve living conditions
Buddhism grew and attracted followers, but Asoka still allowed other religions free worship
The empire fell apart after Asoka’s death in 230BC
CHANGES IN HINDUISM
The increase in Buddhist practices meant that fewer people were worshiping Hindu gods.
Hinduism began to use the common language(not Sanskrit) and allowed more involvement in worship.
Eventually, Hinduism began to grow just as Buddhism declined in India. Buddhism had spread to other Asian countries and is still strong today.
GOLDEN AGE OF THE GUPTAS
After Asoka’s death, five centuries of bad leadership and conflict existed until the Gupta family took control of India.
The Gupta’s were also from Magadha. In 320AD, Chandra Gupta I became
king and married another king’s daughter, gaining new lands.
SAMUDRAGUPTA
Later, his son enlarged the empire by fighting wars.
Was a military genius Known as the Napolean
Of India
CHANDRA GUPTA II
His grandson, Chandra Gupta II was the greatest ruler, though.
He ruled from 375 to 415 AD During this time India experienced a
period of great advancement known as the Golden Age.
THE GOLDEN AGE
They experienced advancements in: Art and literature Mathematics and science Metal working Trade
ARTS AND LITERATURE
Architects erected amazing structures Artists made beautiful statues, murals
and paintings Poetry flourished The Mahabharata inspired myriad plays
and dramas
MATH AND SCIENCE
An Indian mathematician figured out the length of the year and the value of Pi
Astronomy knowledge increased; Indian astronomers proved the earth was round using a lunar eclipse
Doctors used Ayurvedic medicine, linking health to diet and exercise
METAL WORKING
During the Gupta period, Indians made huge advances in Iron work
A large metal pillar built in 400 AD still stands today
TRADE
India was a place of excitement and growth during the Gupta reign.
The Indians idolized their kings. Traders sold Indian goods like cotton
and ivory to other lands.