WW: Chapter 5: Eurasian Cultural Traditions

Ways of the World :: Chapter 5

Eurasian Cultural Traditions

China: 
Legalists had a pessimistic out look on man kind, according to Han Feizi, "if rewards are high, then what the ruler wants will be quickly effected; if punishments are heavy, what he does not want will be swiftly prevented." They believed that people were dim-witted and unable to see things long term. Farmers and soldiers were the only two groups that preformed functions essential to society. Artisans, merchants, aristocrats, scholars, etc were all deemed useless. Legalism was quickly discredited and replaced with Confucianism.


Confucius wanted to become a political figure and believed he could solve China's disorder problems. However, he instead became a philosopher and a teacher, inspiring Chinese culture even after his death. His teachings and ideas were put together into Confucianism. "Moral example of superiors" was key to social harmony. Human relationships were unequal -- Father superior to son; husband to the wife, older brother to youngest; and ruler to subject. Superiors acted well, and the inferiors would be motivated to act as well.


"The relationship between superiors and inferiors is like that between the wind and the grass. The grass must bend when the wind blows across it." -- Confucius


Confucius believed education was key to moral betterment. Broad liberal arts education applied to practical problems. Confucianism became official ideology of China, become the center of the education system. Family became model for political life, like a smaller version of the state. The teaching of history was also prevalent. Confucianism did not deny the presence of spiritual beings, however, it was more focused on worldy and practical issues. Confucius stated, "that because we do not fully understand this life, we cannot possibly know anything about the life beyond."


Daoist thinking was somewhat opposite of Confucianist thinking. Rather than placing emphasis on importance of education and morality, Daoists urged people to be spontaneous, individualistic and natural. Confucianism focused on human relationship, and Daoists on nature and it's immensity. Dao = notion that refers to the way of nature and what governs all natural phenomena. According to the Daodejing, the dao, "moves around and around but does not on this account suffer. All life comes from it. It wraps everything with its love as in a garment, and yet it claims no honor, for it does not demand to be lord. I do not know its name and so I call it the Dao, the Way, and I rejoice in it's power,"


limited government, and abandonment of education (reminds me of the 60's & free love )


Many people saw it as a compliment to Confucianism ideas. Reflective of Yin and Yang, unity of opposites.


India:
Indian culture embraced the divine
Hindiusm was shaped over time rather than founded by one person. Sacred texts known as the vedas, were collections of poems and hymns made my the priests called Brahmans  for religious practices.


The final quest of humankind was union with the Brahman.


Buddhism was a simplified and more accessible version of Hinduism. It rejected the religious authorities of the brahmins, deeming their rituals as irrelevant to the dealing of self suffering as they do not directly accomplish nirvana.


Buddhism also found the unequal hindu caste system to be unfair. Their religion of one of self effort. Buddhism gave many Indian's a sense of freedom and independence. Buddhism was an easily accessible language as it was taught in many different languages. Buddha was originally depicted as a wise teacher (not someone divine) It was a more psychological approach to religion following practices rather than beliefs.


Hinduism text "the laws of Manu" declared women as always under men
Buddhist nuns allowed freedom
Buddhism appealed more so lower caste groups & women


Buddhism died out as it's own religious practice, becoming part of an updated version of Hinduism.
New Hinduism was more accessible  (perhaps a response to Buddhism's popularity) and affired that ordinary people could in fact make spiritual progress.


Monotheism was a cultural innovation at the time. Common theme of one deity against the forces of evil started with Zoroastrian belief system. Those who sided with evil received eternal punishment (sound familiar) Jews were very influenced by these beliefs of God vs. an evil counterpart. Other Judaism beliefs derived from Zoroastrian belief systems, i.e last judgment, belief in defeat of evil, arrival of the savior and the remaking of the world.


Concepts of heaven and hell prominent in it's successors; Judaism Christianity and Islam.


Judaism born of Hebrews, Jewish God Yahweh was a powerful & Jealous deity who wanted the Hebrews full loyalty. Jews were often tempted to worship neighboring goddesses, but in the end Yahweh triumphed.


In return for complete devoution, Yahweh would consider Jews the chosen people. Mesopotamia and Greek Gods were associated with nature while Yahweh was set far above the world he had created.


Greek gods were unpredictable, quarreling and lustful Gods that were a lot more human than Yahweh. However, because of this the Greeks were much more willing to abandon their mythological framework in pursue of science and philosophy. Science was for the most part separated from religion.


There was much confidence in human reason, and wisdom and virtues triumphed wealth and power.


Jesus of Nazareth and Buddha shared many similarities. Both were teachers that were transformed by followers into Gods. Neither of them expected to be the start of religions, and both of them started their path with a vision of sorts.