HIST 101 Lecture 11: The Peoples of Classical India
Document Summary
The peoples of classical india, the kushan empire, and china. Purushapura (now peshawar) near the khyber pass. Mathura in northern india: period of great wealth, urban society, and culture, multi-ethnic society which tolerated religious differences, out of these traditions, jainism, buddhism, and hinduism developed. Era of religious ferment: religious ferment: Jainism: vardhamma mahavira: all living things have souls and no creature should be killed, completely nonviolent, free the soul from the body. Opposed caste system: lived ascetic life, either naked or in simple, white robes, and practiced fasting. Balanced life between asceticism and luxury: four noble truths. The cause of suffering is negative deeds of the body inspired by desire. Meditation: buddhis(cid:373)"s appeal: three truths (cid:894)je(cid:449)els(cid:895) His teachi(cid:374)gs, the buddha"s i(cid:374)terpretatio(cid:374)s of dhar(cid:373)a (cid:894)i(cid:374)di(cid:448)idual"s duty achieved by following the laws and customs) Community sangha (a community of nuns, monk, and lay people) Goal to reach nirvana: a state without desire, hatred, and ignorance.
