Asian Cultures

1
Asian Cultures

• Chris Anderson
• Randolph-Henry High School

2
India

• Civilization was developing around the Indus
  River at the same time as the Egyptians were
  reaching their height
• This early Indus River civilization reached its
  height between 2500-1500 BC
• This early civilization will serve as the
  ancestors for India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

3
India

• Geography
• The subcontinent of South Asia is separated from
  the rest of Asia by natural barriersmountains
  and water
• In the north exist 2 mountain ranges
• Hindu Kush
• Himalaya
• To the east and west is water

4
India
5
India

• The mountains and seas acted as natural
  barrierskeeping South Asia free from invasion
• The subcontinent, itself, is geographically
  diverse
• Deccan Plateau
• Vindhyarolling hills
• Ghatssmall mountain ranges on the coasts

6
India
7
India

• 3 major rivers exist on the subcontinent
• Indus
• Ganges
• Brahmaputra
• All 3 rivers provide water and fertile soil for
  the people to farm

8
India
9
India

• South Asias climate is affected by seasonal
  winds called monsoons
• The subcontinent experiences 2 monsoons every year

• 1.) Winter Monsoon (Northeast Monsoon)
• Blows from Nov./Dec. until March
• Brings dry air from the mountains
• Summer Monsoon (Southwest Monsoon)
• blows from May/June to Sept.
• Brings rain from the southwest

10
India
11
India

• The people of South Asia depended on the monsoons
  to bring rain for their crops
• If the monsoons came too late or brought too much
  rain, crops would be destroyed and people would
  die

12
India

• Early Civilization
• The earliest known civilization in South Asia was
  the Harappan Civilization
• Main citiesHarappa and Mohenjo-Daro
• Both cities were very modern
• Streets ran in a grid pattern
• Houses built of brick
• Indoor bathrooms

13
India
14
India

• Most of the people were farmers
• Used pictographs as writinghistorians have not
  deciphered these symbols
• 2000 BCthe civilization went into decline
• 1500 BCthe civilization had disappeared

• There are 2 theories for their disappearance
• 1.) Floods and climate changes may have affected
  the food supply
• 2.) The civilization may have been invaded and
  killed off

15
India

• 1500 BCanother group migrated into South
  AsiaAryans
• Nomadic herders
• Mainly herded cattle
• The Aryans quickly took the Indus River Valley
  and Ganges areas
• Aryan tribal chiefrajah
• Main economic resourcecattle
• Cattle rustling became an issue that led to war
  between the different tribes

16
India

• The Aryans began to settle in the Indus River
  valley and started to farm
• Some grew crops
• Others continued to herd cattle on the rich
  plainsprovided meat, milk, and hides

17
India

• The Aryans eventually considered their herds so
  important that they placed a ban on eating meat
• The people became strict vegetarians
• This no meat policy is a major principle in
  Hinduism today

18
India

• Aryan Society and Culture
• Men dominated Aryan society
• The Aryans spoke Sanskrit, but had no written
  language
• The warriors and herders used hymns to tell their
  history
• After settling, the Aryans developed a written
  language based on Sanskrit

19
India

• Once they had writing, the Aryan Priests
  collected the old poems, legends, and hymns into
  a volume of 4 holy booksthe Vedas
• The Vedas became the basis for Aryan religion
• The oldest of the 4 books is the Rig
  Vedaconsidered the oldest religious text still
  in use

20
India

• Aryan society was divided into 4 main social
  classes called the varnas
• Warriors (Kshatriyas)
• Most honored class
• Priests (Brahman)
• Studied the Vedas
• Merchants, artisans, farmers (Vaisyas)
• Unskilled workers and servants(Sudras)

21
India

• The Aryans made the class system even more rigid
  in 500 BC
• The varnas were further divided into groups
  called jati
• Jati were based on peoples occupations
• Shoemakers
• Potters
• Farmers
• Metal workers

22
India

• Jati had their own rules for diet, marriage, and
  social customs
• Different jati groups could not socialize with
  each other
• Once born into a jati, one would remain in that
  group for life
• The system of varnas and jati evolved into the
  caste system

23
India

• The Aryans wrote 2 important epics
• 1.) Mahabharata
• Epic poem100,000 verses
• Collection of writings from different authors
• Discusses Aryan religion and philosophy

• 2.) Ramayana
• 24,000 verses
• Tells of an ideal kingRamaand his faithful
  wifeSita
• It is a story about good and evil
• Good prevails over evil

24
India

• Aryan Religion
• Aryans were polytheists
• Agnigod of fire
• Indragod of thunder and war
• Ushagoddess of dawn
• The Aryans religion evolved into Hinduism
• Hinduism is based on the many beliefs found in
  the Vedas and the Indian Epics

25
India

• Many Aryans became tired of the ritual in the
  Vedas and began developing new religious ideas
• These new ideas were written in the Upanishads
• Upanishads tell of a universal spirit in all
  living things
• Hindus believed all animals had soulsthey banned
  the killing of any animal
• Hindus believe all souls are part of one eternal
  spiritBrahman Nerguna

26
India

• The Upanishads encouraged the Hindus to fast and
  participate in yoga (prayer)
• Hindus believe in reincarnationthe soul is
  reborn after death
• The soul may have many lifetimes before its final
  joining with Brahman Nerguna
• The cycle of reincarnation is determined by ones
  karmahow one lived his/her life determines what
  the soul will be reborn into

• If one lived a just life, the soul may be reborn
  into a higher caste
• If one did not live a just life, the soul may be
  reborn into a snake or insect

27
India

• Hindus also practice ahimsanon-violence toward
  all living creatures
• All living creatures are to be protected
• Ultimate aim of all Hindusmokshathe release
  from all pain and suffering
• One reaching moksha has ended the cycle of
  reincarnation and has become one with Brahman
  Nerguna

• To achieve moksha, one must participate in
• Prayer
• Religious ritual
• Strict self denial
• Reject all worldly possessions

28
India

• Development of Buddhism
• 500 BCreligious life in India saw a change
• Hindus were becoming unhappy with the rigid
  rituals of Hinduism
• The people wanted a more spiritual faith
• Many left their villages to search for answers in
  the countryside

29
India

• The founded of the Buddhist faith was a
  Kshatriyas PrinceSiddharta Gautama

30
India

• 566 BCGautama had a life changing experiencehe
  saw, for the first time, pain, suffering, and
  death
• He vowed to find why people suffered and a way to
  end peoples suffering
• He left his princely lifestyle, his wife, and
  newborn child to wander the countryside looking
  for answers

31
India

• Gautamas journey to search for answers is called
  the Great Renunciation
• He spent 7 years on the Great Renunciation
• During the 7 years, he lived as a hermit and
  beggar
• Legend says that the answers came to Gautama
  while he was meditating under a tree
• He began preaching his ideas and gained lots of
  followershis followers called him Buddhathe
  enlightened one

32
India

• Buddhas ideas were set down in the Four Noble
  Truths and the Eight Fold Path

33
India

• Four Noble Truths
• 1.) All people suffer and know sorry
• 2.) People suffer because their desires bind
  them to the cycle of reincarnation
• 3.) To end suffering, one must end desire
• 4.) To end desire, follow the Eight Fold Path

• Eight Fold Path
• 1.) Know the Truth
• 2.) Resist Evil
• 3.) Say nothing to hurt others
• 4.) Respect Life
• 5.) Work for the good of others
• 6.) Free minds from evil
• 7.) Control your thoughts
• 8.) Practice meditation

34
India

• If one followed the Eight Fold Path and avoided
  extremes, one would reach Nirvanafreedom from
  the cycle of reincarnation
• Once reaching Nirvana, a person has become one
  with the universe
• Buddhism does not believe in the Hindu caste
  systemanyone can reach enlightenment regardless
  of class

35
India

• Buddha preached his ideas for 45 years, until his
  death
• He gained lots of followers who continued to
  preach after Buddhas death
• Buddhist monks took the religion out of India
  into different parts of Asia
• China Malaysia
• Korea Siam
• Japan Indonesia

36
India

• Buddhisms spread into Asia has made the religion
  one of the most dominant in Asia today
• As the religion spread, the followers began to
  differ over Buddhas role, causing 2 forms of
  Buddhism to develop

37
India

• 1.) Theravada
• Found in South Asia
• Follow the original teachings
• See Buddha as a teacher

• 2.) Mahayana
• Worships Buddha as a savior and god

38
Indian Empires

• After 500 BC, strong kingdoms will dominate South
  Asia and establish some very powerful empires
• Mauryan Empire
• Gupta Empire

39
Indian Empires

• 1.) Mauryan Empire
• 321 BCChandragupta Maurya overthrew a powerful
  kingdom in India and created the Mauryan
  Empirelocated in Northern and Centra India
• His empire lasted until 184 BC

40
Indian Empires
41
Indian Empires

• Chandragupta Mauryas grandsonAsokahelped the
  Mauryan empire to grow and helped spread Buddhism
  throughout Asia
• 268 BChe became emperor
• He quickly expanded the empire by conquering
  neighboring kingdoms
• He controlled 2/3 of India

42
Indian Empires

• Asoka experienced a transformation similar to
  Buddhas
• Legend says Asoka had never been to the
  battlefield after his army had taken an area
• One day, he decided to visit after a battle and
  was horrified by what he say
• He vowed never to rule by force again
• He converted to Buddhism and became a man of peace

43
Indian Empires

• Asoka created laws based on Buddhas teachings
• His laws were known as the Rock Edicts
• He built free hospitals for the people
• He built veterinary clinics for animals
• He constructed roads in the empire
• He sent out many missionaries to spread the ideas
  of Buddhism

44
Indian Empires

• 232 BCAsoka died and the empire slid into
  decline
• The new leaders heavily taxed the people
• 184 BCMauryan Emperor was murdered
• Northern India split into separate kingdoms

45
Indian Empires

• 2.) Gupta Empire
• 500 years after the end of the Mauryan Empire
  fell, another powerful empire emerged in
  IndiaGupta Empire
• AD 310Chandragupta I started the Gupta Empire
• His empire ruled Northern Indian for 200 years

46
Indian Empires
47
Indian Empires

• Gupta Empire was Hindu
• Gupta leaders encouraged the people to learn from
  the Upanishads
• The Gupta Dynasty has been called Indias Golden
  Age
• The arts and sciences flourished

48
Indian Empires

• Chandragupta II (375-415)
• Gupta Empire reached its height under
  Chandragupta II
• He reduced taxes
• Gave the people more freedom
• Education and learning became important
• Developed a new numberthe Zero (0)
• Created new number symbols1-9 (Arabic Numerals)

49
Indian Empires

• Gupta scientists understood the Earth was round
• They had a vague knowledge of gravity
• Doctors could set broken bones
• Doctors performed simple operations with newly
  developed medical tools

50
Indian Empires

• AD 415Chandragupta II died and empire began
  falling apart
• The government became weak and corrupt
• Outsiders began invading the empire
• Ad 600sthe empire had disappeared
• Northern India was divided into small kingdoms

51
China

• Chinas early civilization developed along rivers
• Chinese civilization has lasted to this daythe
  Chinese civilization is the oldest remaining
  civilization in the world

52
China

• Chinas Geography
• China, like India, has many natural barriers that
  have protected the area for centuries
• 1/3 of Chinas land area consists of mountainsin
  the Southwest lie the Himalayas
• North of the Himalayas is the Plateau of Tibet

53
China

• In western China exist more mountainsKunlun Shan
  and the Tian Shan

54
China

• There are 3 major rivers in China
• 1.) Huang River (Yellow River)
• Flows for 2900 miles
• River is rich in siltsilt makes the water
  yellowish in color
• 2.) Chang Jiang (Yangtze)
• 3.) Xi Jiang (West River)

55
China
56
China

• Shang Dynasty
• 1700 BCTang created the 1st known Chinese
  DynastyShang Dynasty
• His dynasty lasted until 1000 BC
• The 1st Shang kings only controlled the city of
  Anyangon the Yellow River
• Later rulers began expanding the kingdom until
  they had captured the Yellow River Valley

57
China

• The Chinese believed in the idea of Mandate of
  Heaventhe gods chose the kings
• The gods chose when it was time for a change in
  kings or dynasties

58
China

• The Shang Dynasty ended in 1000 BC when the Shang
  emperor was assassinated
• The dynasty had grown weak from weak leadership
• The people saw it was time for a change

59
China

• Chinese Achievements
• The Chinese developed a character writing
• The written language was difficult to learnonly
  scribes could read and write

60
China

• The Shang Chinese also made advancements in the
  arts
• Created wonderful bronze castings
• Used jade and ivory to create wonderful works or
  art
• Created exquisite silk cloth
• Fine porcelain

61
China
62
China

• 1100 BCAD 200, China will be ruled by 3 very
  powerful dynasties
• Zhou0ruled China for 800 years
• Qin
• Han

63
China

• 1.) Zhou Dynasty
• 1028 BCthe Zhou Dynasty took power away from the
  Shang Dynasty
• Created a very large empire
• Zhou introduced new ideas to China and the world
• Horses were brought into China and used for
  travel and work
• Added the crossbow to the military
• Started using iron plows

64
China
65
China

• 200s BCZhou leaders had become very weak
• Many of the Chinese city-states were at war with
  each other
• The nobles were warring over land
• This civil war allowed for one city-state to rise
  and take power over China--Qin

66
China

• 2.) Qin Dynasty
• 221 BCthe city-state of Qin rose up and took
  power away from the Zhou leaders
• The Qin Dynasty united China for the 1st time
• The Qin created a very strong central government

67
China

• The 1st Qin emperorQin Shihuangdi
• Shihuangdi wanted a China totally under his
  control
• He divided China into 36 military districtshe
  was trying to keep power away from the local
  lords

68
China

• Shihuangdi tried to standardize China
• Created a standard set of weights and measures
• Standardized coins
• Created a uniform writing system
• Established a law code for China
• Constructed canals and roads in China

69
China

• Shihuangdis greatest achievement was the Great
  Wall of China
• The wall was built to protect China from a
  northern invasion
• Many of Chinas early leaders built small walls
  for protection
• Shihuangdi connected the different walls to
  created the Great Wall
• The Wall is 1400 miles long

70
China
71
China

• To have absolute power in China, Shihuangdi had
  to take power away from the lords
• He took away the lords land
• Lords who still owned land were heavily taxed
• Shihuangdi began burning books to cut the people
  off from their past

72
China

• The Chinese people did not like Shihuangdi
• The nobles were angry at the loss of their power
• The peasants were angry at being forced into hard
  laborworking on the Great Wall
• 210 BCShihuangdi died and his empire soon
  followed

73
China

• 3.) Han Dynasty
• 207 BCLiu Bang drove the Qin Dynasty out of
  power
• He was from a poor peasant familynot royalty
• 202 BCBang had eliminated all of his enemies and
  made himself emperorcreated the Han Dynasty
  which ruled China from 202 BCAD 220
• Han rulers were tolerantunlike Qin Shihuangdi
• Han leaders made China prosperous and powerful

74
China

• The height of the Han Empire came under the 6th
  emperor of the dynastyWudi (141-87 BC)
• He expanded China by taking over non-Chinese
  lands
• Manchuria
• Korea
• Parts of India

75
China

• 139 BCWudi sent out an expedition to find new
  areas to conquer
• The leader of the expedition was Zhang Qian
• Qian returned 13 years later with a wonderful
  tale
• He and his troops were nearly destroyed by a
  group of barbarians
• Qian had served in the barbarains prisons for 10
  years

76
China

• Qians barbarians were the Romans
• For the 1st time, China realized they were not
  the only advanced civilization in the world
• China and Rome began trading, creating the Silk
  Roadtrade route between the east and west

77
China

• Han China was very stable and prosperous for 400
  years
• This 400 year period is called the Pax
  SinicaChinese Peace
• During the Pax Sinica, Wudi developed a new way
  to get qualified government workershe created
  the civil service system

78
China

• In the civil service system, applicants for
  government jobs take a test
• Those who score higher on the tests get the
  better jobs
• With the civil service system, Wudi was insuring
  he had the best people working in government
• The civil service system also made education
  important in China

79
China

• A new class of Chinese arosemandarins
• The mandarins were the educated Chinese civil
  servants who ran the government of China
• The mandarins controlled Chinas government until
  the early AD 1900s

80
China

• When Wudi died in 87 BC, the Han Dynasty slowly
  began to fall
• The land owning lords began gaining power
• AD 220the Han dynasty came to an end
• The landowners began a civil war that tore China
  apart

81
China

• China is also the home of 2 philosophies that
  have helped shape the culture of many Asian
  nations
• Confucianism
• Taoism (Daoism)

82
China

• Confucianism
• Kongzi laid the foundations for Confucianism
• People in western China called Konzi by his more
  famous nameConfucius

83
China

• 551 BCConfucius was born into a poor family
• _at_ age 16, he left home, wandering China looking
  to be a political advisor
• He wanted to end the political, personal, and
  social disorder that he had seen in his
  wanderings
• He failed to find a job, so _at_ age 22 he began
  teaching

84
China
85
China

• Confucius main concerns were order and the
  promotion of order
• He said everyone had a proper role in society and
  all political and social disorder would end if
  everyone would accept their role in life
• He said people should live their lives according
  to ethics

86
China

• Confucius wanted people to respect their family,
  the past, and traditions
• He said there were 5 relationships that everyone
  must know and follow
• Ruler and subject
• Parent and child
• Husband and wife
• Old and young
• Friend and friend

87
China

• Taoism (Daoism)
• Developed by Laozi
• Taoism seems to be the direct opposite of
  Confucianism
• Laozi did not accept formal social structures and
  peoples roles in society
• Laozi did not like living in public
• He wrote his ideas in the Dao De Jing

88
China

• Laozi said Taoist should
• Reject wealth
• Reject power
• Reject ambition
• Reject social structures
• Reject formal codes of behavior
• Get in touch with nature

89
China

• Taoism also believes in the Yin and Yang2
  opposite forces of nature that must be in harmony
• Yin
• Cool, dark, female, passive
• Yang
• Warm, light, male, aggressive

90
China

• Although Confucianism and Taoism seem opposite, a
  person could be both
• Use Confucianism for government and ones place
  in the social order
• Use Taoism to achieve harmony with nature