CH 1 STRAYER [4TH EDITION] (UNIT 1: 1200-1450)

civilization

A society with cities, a central government, job specialization, and social classes

Patriarchy/Patriarchal

a society in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it

Caste System

A rigid Hindu hierarchical social class system determined at birth

Hinduism

A religion and philosophy developed in ancient India, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme being who takes many forms

Buddhism

a religion based on the teachings of the Buddha that developed in ancient India

Ashoka

Leader of the Mauryan dynasty of India who conquered most of India but eventually gave up violence and converted to Buddhism.

Theravada Buddhism

the oldest of the two major branches of Buddhism. (Practiced mainly in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia), its beliefs are relatively conservative, holding close to the original teachings of the Buddha

Mahayana Buddhism

Also known as popular Buddhism, is allows people more ways to reach enlightenment and boddhisatvas can help you reach enlightenment.

Confucianism

A philosophy that adheres to the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It shows the way to ensure a stable government and an orderly society in the present world and stresses a moral code of conduct.

Daoism

A religion in China which emphasizes the removal from society and to become one with nature.

Judaism

A monotheistic of the Jewish people; emphasized belief in one god. It originated with Abraham and the Hebrew people.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Jesus

Islam

A religion based on the teachings of the prophet Mohammed which stresses belief in one god (Allah). Followers are called Muslims.

Quran

The holy book of Islam

Sufism

An Islamic mystical tradition that desired a personal union with God--divine love through intuition rather than through study of the shari'a.

Sharia

Islamic law

Sunni

Branch of Islam that believed Muhammad had no rightful heir and that a religious leader should be elected through a vote among the Islamic community's people.

Shia

Branch of Islam that believed all caliphs must be direct descendants of Muhammad's family.

Mandate of Heaven

a political theory of ancient China in which those in power were given the right to rule from a divine source