Download - Bellringer
Bellringer• List three facts about Hinduism
11/17/10
Daily Announcements
Agenda1. Indian Empires2. Buddhism
11/17/10
Objectives 11/17/10
Students will be able to…30. Summarize the major features of
the Mauryan and Gupta Empires.31. Describe the major beliefs and
traditions of Buddhism.
Aryan Kingdoms• Aryan kingdoms dominated India
beginning around 1000 BCE• No single, unified leader• Run over by Alexander the Great
(we’ll talk about him later)
Split GRAPES• Draw a line down the center of the
GRAPES chart to divide it in two–On the left side, write Mauryan Empire–On the right side, write Gupta Empire
• At the bottom–Left: write “321 BCE to 232 BCE”–Right: write “320 CE to 500’s CE”
Objective #30
Mauryan Empire
Geography
What ocean surrounds India?
Geography
What mountain range is shown?
Geography
What river valley was to the east?
Geography
What empire was to the west?
Geography
Geography• Mauryan Empire united Indian
subcontinent–Ganges and Indus Rivers–Up to the Himalaya and Hindu-
Kush Mountains
Religion• Mainly Hinduism• Ashoka (a king) spread Buddhism
through missionaries
Achievements• Under Chandragupta–United India for the first time–Strong bureaucracy
• Under Ashoka–Religious tolerance–Built roads, free hospitals, hotels
Political• Chandragupta conquered the empire and
established a dynasty–Bureaucracy helped run the government
• Ashoka–Became a non-violent Buddhist, used
the government to care for his people rather than gain wealth or power
Asoka says:• All men are my children. What I desire
for my own children, and I desire their welfare and happiness both in this world and the next, that I desire for all men. You do not understand to what extent I desire this, and if some of you do understand, you do not understand the full extent of my desire.
More Political• People liked Ashoka–Good ruler, but weakened the
government–No strong ruler followed him–Empire fell apart
Economic• Very heavy taxes to pay for the army
and public works• Political centralization opens India to
trade with China and Persia
Social• See Hinduism
A Period of Turmoil• 500 years without a strong leader• Turmoil, noun–A state or condition of extreme
confusion or commotion• Without any damage or injury, for
30 seconds, demonstrate turmoil
Gupta Empire
Geography
Religion• Hinduism
Achievements• The Golden Age of India
Gupta = Golden!• Trade by land and sea, east and west• Develop astronomy, advanced math (the
numbers you use), calendar• Develop banking, incredible amounts of
wealth• Helps spread culture, art, literature
Political• Gupta kings used marriage (and an
army) to create an empire• Last strong king declines in 415 CE,
empire starts to collapse• In the 500s CE, invaders “without
settled homes” attack India
Economic• Very rich empire (but only the kings
got rich)• Invented banking• LOTS of trade
Social• See Hinduism
Buddhism
Objective #31
Hinduism’s Problems
• Some people did not like–Inequality–Inaccessibility (need priests to
interact with gods for you)
The Solution• A new faith, started by a Hindu prince
who meditated on the world’s problems• Siddhartha Gautama grew up sheltered
from the world. When he left his palace, he was shocked by what he saw–Became the founder of Buddhism
Buddha• Siddhartha left his life in a palace to seek
wisdom• No one he met had any• So he meditated under a tree until he
finally discovered the truth about the world–He became known as the Buddha:
awakened or enlightened one
Four Noble Truths1. To live is to suffer2. Suffering is caused by desire3. To end suffering, you must get rid
of all desires4. To do so, follow the Eightfold Path
to enlightenment
Get on the path!• Tear a sheet of paper into 8 squares• On four of the squares, write down
things that cause you to suffer• On four of the squares, write down
things that you desire• Crumble each square into a ball
Get on the path!•Rid yourself of your suffering and desires! •Throw them at the recycling bin!
Nirvana• Buddha and his followers believed he
had achieved enlightenment, what they called nirvana• Enlightenment can be achieved by
acting, thinking, and believing in the proper way• Nirvana ends your soul’s reincarnation
Karma• Buddhists believe in karma, much like
Hindus• Instead of determining caste, karma
provides your reincarnated self with desirable qualities (wealth, beauty, influence, etc.)• Karma is based on your intentions, not just
your actions
Solving Problems• Hinduism has inequality–Buddhism rejects the caste system. All
Buddhists belong to the religious community (sangha)
• Hinduism is inaccessible, requires priests–Buddhism is very personal, individual
meditation and self-improvement–Can reach nirvana in a single lifetime
About Buddha• Buddha is not a god! “Buddha” is a
title granted to Siddhartha Gautama• Fat Buddha, and Buddha worship, is
a later Chinese development
Religious Spread