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.