Hinduism, Buddhism, and Ancient China

Confucius

Founder of Confucianism, believed in organizing society around five basic relationships and filial piety.

Laozi

Philosopher who advocated for minimal government intervention and communion with nature, founding Daoism.

Siddhartha

The first Buddha who taught the importance of personal, spiritual development to end suffering.

Aryans

Migrated to the Indus River Valley, collaborated with Harappans to create Hinduism and the caste system.

Buddha

Title meaning 'the enlightened one', for anyone who has reached enlightenment.

Indus/Harappans

The native civilization of the Indus River Valley known for urban structures and innovations.

Karma (Hinduism)

The principle that good deeds will return to you upon rebirth.

Samsara

The cycle of life, death, and rebirth in Hinduism.

Moksha

The liberation of the atman from the cycle of samsara.

Vedas

The holy scriptures of Hinduism that teach morals.

Dharma

A concept in Hinduism that represents duties to collect good karma.

Upanishads

Holy texts of Hinduism that explain the significance of the Vedas.

Untouchables

The lowest caste in the system, marginalized and considered outside the social hierarchy.

Trimurti

The triad of principal deities in Hinduism: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahman.

Shudras

The lowest level on the caste system, consisting of laborers and artisans.

Kshatriyas

The second highest level in the caste system, made up of warriors.

Brahmins

The top level of the caste system, including priests and scholars.

Vaishyas

The second lowest caste in the system, primarily farmers.

Caste system

The social hierarchy in India that originated from Hinduism.

Nirvana (Buddhism)

The ultimate state of liberation and highest spiritual goal in Buddhism.

Polytheism

The belief in multiple gods or divine beings.

Monotheism

The belief in a single, all-powerful god.

Sanskrit

The ancient language in which Hindu texts were written.

Brahman

The ultimate reality or creator in Hinduism.

Shiva

The destroyer god of the Trimurti in Hinduism.

Vishnu

The protector god of the Trimurti in Hinduism.

Om

The sacred sound and symbol in Hindu meditation.

River Ganges

The sacred river in Hinduism, used for ritual bathing.

Origin story of the Caste System

Purusha's body parts represent the different varnas, shaping the caste hierarchy.

Karma (Buddhism)

The law of cause and effect pertaining to actions and their consequences.

Mara

Obstacles that bind individuals to samsara in Buddhism.

Gupta

The empire known for religious tolerance and artistic achievements during the Golden Age.

Eightfold Path

The Buddhist path leading to the cessation of suffering and attainment of Nirvana.

Reincarnation

The belief that an individual's essence is reborn into a new body after death.

Ashoka

The emperor who transformed Buddhism into a world religion.

Tripitaka

The sacred texts that form the Buddhist canon.

Cultural diffusion

The spread of Buddhist beliefs and practices through trade.

Four sights

The sights that led Siddhartha to seek enlightenment: a monk, old age, sickness, and death.

Bodhisattva

An enlightened being who assists others in achieving enlightenment.

Sermon on Sarnath

The foundational speech given by the Buddha defining his teachings.

Origin story of Siddhartha

The tale of Queen Māyā's dream predicting Siddhartha's significant future.

Dharma wheel

A symbol representing the Buddha's teachings and path to enlightenment.

Mauryan empire

The empire that helped propagate Buddhism under Emperor Ashoka.

Dynastic cycle

The historical cycle of dynasties rising and falling in China.

Mandate of heaven

The doctrine that rulers receive their authority from a divine source.

Dynasties of China

Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties noted for various achievements and innovations.

Warring states period

The era of strife among Chinese dynasties competing for power.

Legalism

Chinese philosophy advocating strict adherence to rules and punishment.

Confucianism symbol

The Shui symbol, representing the philosophy of Confucianism.

Yin/Yang

The concept that the balance of opposing forces is necessary for harmony.