Download Ancient China - MrDowdyClassroomMPHS

1. Geography
a.
Two major rivers
i. Chang Jiang aka Yangzi
ii. Huang He aka Yellow River
iii. Civilizations in China started in the river
valleys of these two rivers
b.
Crops
i.
South
1.
ii.
The environment was suitable for rice
North
1.
Suitable for wheat and millet
c. Isolated
i.
Much of China is
covered with
mountains, hills
and desert
ii. Helped protect
China from
invasion
2. Major Philosophies
a.
Concept of the Mandate from Heaven
Political philosophy
ii. Used to explain the fall of one dynasty and
the rise of another
iii. Stated that the gods would support a just
ruler, but they would not allow anyone
corrupt to hold power
i.
b. Confucianism
i.
ii.
Based on the teachings of a man named
Kongfuzi or Confucius
Confucius
1.
2.
3.
Believed that people should treat one another
humanely
Believed tat love and respect had disappeared
and this was what was responsible for violence
in a society
Believed that if respect for tradition was
restored, society would again be stable and
orderly
iii. The Analects
1. A book written by Confucius
2. States that rulers should treat their subjects
fairly
3. Subjects should in return reward their ruler
with respect and loyalty
4. People need to respect the members of the
family
5. It is the duty of all educated people to
devote themselves to public service
c. Daoism
i.
ii.
Encourages people to retreat from the
laws of society and yield to the laws of
nature
Concept of the Dao or the way
1.
Dao is the limitless force that is part of all
creation
iii. Embraces the
concept of yin and
yang
1.
2.
3.
Represents the
balancing aspect of
nature
Neither can exist
without the other
When in balance
represents perfect
harmony
3. Buddhism
a.
Origins
i.
ii.
Originated in India
Founder, is a man
by the name of
Siddhartha
Gautama
b. Teachings
i.
Four Noble Truths
1.
Suffering is a part of human life
a.
2.
3.
4.
No one can escape from suffering while alive
Suffering comes from people’s desires for
pleasure and material goods
Overcoming these desires during life
eventually brings suffering to an end
Desires can be overcome by following the
Eightfold Path
ii. The Eightfold Path
1. Right View
a. Accepting the reality of the Four Noble
Truths
2. Right Attitude
a. Striving for moderation in all things
3. Right Speech
a. Avoiding lies, boasts and hurtful words
4. Right Action
a. Treating others fairly
5. Right livelihood
a.
Avoiding jobs that could bring harm to others
6. Right effort
a.
Constantly trying to improve oneself
7. Right mindfulness
a.
Remaining aware of the world around you
8. Right Concentration
a.
Ignoring temptation and discomfort while
meditating
ii. Nirvana
1. A state of perfect peace in which the soul
would be free from suffering
2. Can be attained by following the Eightfold
Path
3. If nirvana is not achieved you will be reborn
and go through the cycles of suffering
again
iv. Middle Way
1. Another way of expressing The Eightfold
Path
2. “Live in moderation, avoid extremes of
either comfort or discomfort in the search
for nirvana”
c. 3 Divisions
i.
Theravada (The Way of the Elders)
1.
2.
Oldest of the Buddhist traditions
Based on the Pali Canon
a.
3.
Oldest of the Buddhist Writings
Best way to attain nirvana is to become a
monk or nun and spend all of one’s time in
meditation
ii. Mahayana
1. Taught that people can help each other find
enlightenment
2. Incorporated text written after the Buddha’s
lifetime
3. Bodhisattvas
People who have found enlightenment but
have not passed yet
b. Help others find enlightenment
a.
iii. Tibetan Buddhism
1. Incorporates some of the many teachings
with Mahayana
2. Believe you can use special techniques to
harness spiritual energy and achieve
nirvana in a single lifetime