Download STUDY GUIDE FOR BUDDHISM, THE MAURYANS AND THE

STUDY GUIDE FOR BUDDHISM, THE MAURYANS AND THE GUPTAS
1.
Compare and contrast Hinduism and Buddhism. Name at least two things they have in
common and two ways they are different.
Both Hinduism and Buddhism are major religions in India. Both believe in multiple lives and the
cycle of rebirth. Both believe in karma.
In Hinduism, people are treated differently depending on the caste in which they are born.
Buddhism treats all people equally regardless of caste. Where Hindus believe they will escape
the cycle of rebirth (Samsara) by achieving perfect karma, Buddhists believe they will escape
the cycle of rebirth through enlightenment, or knowledge of deep truths. Hinduism has many
complicated rituals, whereas Buddhism is based on simple teachings.
2. Describe the life of Prince Siddhartha. Make sure to include the reason his father kept
him inside the castle, the three types of suffering he witnessed, his experience as an
ascetic and his decision to stop being an ascetic.
While pregnant, Prince Siddhartha’s mother had a dream. The Brahmins told her the dream
meant that Siddhartha would grow up to be either a great ruler or, if he saw the suffering in the
world, a Buddha (one who is enlightened). Siddhartha’s father, the King, wanted Siddhartha to
become a ruler, so he kept him inside palaces and gave him everything he could want or need.
Siddhartha had an easy, fun life. After Siddhartha’s wife had a son, the King gave the Prince
more freedom to travel. On three separate trips Siddhartha saw an old man, a sick man and a
dead body, and was very troubled by learning about human suffering. Siddhartha decided to
become an ascetic, and gave up all of his money and possessions. Despite meditating, fasting
and living a life of self-denial, Siddhartha did not find enlightenment. He decided that he should
find a “middle way” and left the other ascetics. On his 35th birthday, Siddhartha decided to
meditate until he reached enlightenment. Under the Bodhi tree he became the Buddha. By
discovering the Four Noble Truths, Siddhartha achieved enlightenment.
3. What is an ascetic?
An ascetic is someone who gives up worldly pleasures such as possessions, fine clothes,
money and shelter.
4. Describe the basic idea of the Four Noble Truths.
Cravings (desires and wants) leads to suffering because nothing lasts forever. The only way to
end suffering is to give up all cravings. The way to give up cravings is to follow the Eightfold
Path.
5. Describe the basic idea of the Eightfold Path.
Live a selfless, loving, honest and non-violent life. Learn the Four Noble Truths and make
sure to meditate. Be careful in what you say and how you act, and promote good actions
and prevent evil actions. Be aware of but not attached to your emotions, thoughts and
feelings.
6. Describe the basic idea of the Middle Way.
A balance between the extremes of pleasure and pain. Neither extreme wealth nor extreme
poverty, going hungry nor being gluttonous. Being moderate.
7. How did Chandragupta Maurya unite India?
He saw that the kingdoms of northern India were weak because they kept fighting each other so
he used his great army of soldiers and elephants to overthrow the rulers in the north and united
all of northern India.
8. Describe King Ashoka’s behavior before and after he gave up violence.
Before becoming a Buddhist, Ashoka expanded his empire through a series of wars. After an
especially brutal battle Ashoka decided to give up violence and embrace Buddhism. As a
Buddhist he valued love, peace and nonviolence, became a vegetarian and never again fought
to add land to his kingdom.
9. King Ashoka saw himself as father to his people. What does this mean?
He saw himself as a wise and loving father figure to the people in his empire. Much like a
father, he taught his “children” how to act and live. He taught them to be kind, respectful and to
behave in right ways. He told them to respect their elders and to treat their servants well.
10. How did King Ashoka inform people about his edicts?
He carved them into walls, rocks and tall pillars in public places so the greatest number of
people could see them.
11. What are the four goals Ashoka sought to further through his edicts?
Buddhist Values, General Welfare, Justice, Security
12. Compare and contrast the Gupta and Mauryan Empires. Include at least two similarities
and two differences.
Both set up central governments to oversee the empires. Both permitted both Hinduism and
Buddhism to be practiced in their empires.
The Guptas gave local areas much more independence than the Mauryans. The Mauryans had
more wars and did not have nearly as many achievements as the Guptas.
13. What are provinces and how were they helpful to the Gupta Empire?
Provinces are territories that are part of a country or empire. By setting up provinces and giving
them the ability to make many decisions for themselves, people remained happy and
government was flexible. This allowed the Guptas to stay in power for over 200 years.
14. What is a golden age?
A golden age is a time of great prosperity and achievement. Golden ages often occur during
peaceful times, since during peaceful times people have time to think and be creative.
15. What were the subjects of much literature during the Gupta Empire?
During the Gupta Empire, many Hindu legends were written down for the first time. Gupta
writers also wrote poetry, plays and fables.
16. How were roads helpful to the Gupta Empire?
Roads greatly benefited trade, allowing traders to move easily within the empire and to access
waterways to trade with other countries.
17. Name at least three accomplishments of mathematicians during the Gupta Empire.
Gupta mathematicians used the decimal system to write numbers and place values. They were
the first to treat zero as a number. They discovered the exact length of a year. They calculated
the approximate size of the earth and proposed that planers were shaped like balls.