worldhistory

brahman

a universal divine spirit in Indian religions

nirvana

state of no existence, free from all clinging and desire in Buddhism

dynastic cycle

theory that describes the rise and fall of dynasties in China

wudi

powerful Han emperor who expanded China and opened the Silk Roads

chandragupta

conqueror of northern India and founder of Mauryan dynasty

zhou

longest Chinese dynasty in which the feudal nobles held a lot of power

four noble truths

teachings at the heart of Buddhism

guptan

India enjoyed a golden era under this dynasty

harappa

Indus Valley city

confucious

harmony results if people accept their place in society

dharma

the religious and moral duties of an individual

dowry

payment to the bridegroom from the bride's family

rajah

leader of a Vedic tribe

vedas

collection of hymns, chants, rituals, and religious teachings from India

han

dynasty under which the Chinese invented paper, looms, and wheelbarrows

monsoon

a seasonal wind that blows from the northeast or southwest

caste

a social/religious class system that evolved out of the four varna

Moksha

union with Brahman achieved through reincarnated lifetimes

mandate of heaven

the divine right to rule maintained by caring for China

qin shi huan di

founder of the Qin dynasty, who favored strictness and legalism

wudhao

powerful Tang emperors

filial piety

respect for parents

tang

dynasty under which the Chinese invented clocks and gunpowder

Liu bang

peasant who defeated Qin armies and began the Han dynasty

ashoka

Mauryan emperor and convert to Buddhism who ruled by example

Laozi

founder of Daoism

ahimsa

Hindu principle of non-violence

shang

dynasty from which the oldest examples of Chinese writing came

Reincarnation

rebirth, until Moksha (state of perfection) is achieved

Karma

good or bad deeds that follow you in each life

Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva

Brahman (the one god) split into three - polytheistic

Jainism

comes from Hinduism; everything has a soul - nonviolence

Buddha

the Buddha or 'Enlightened One'

eight principals

In order to eliminate their desires for worldly things, and thus end the cycle of rebirths, the Buddha taught his people to follow eight principals: Know the truth, Resist evil, Say nothing hurtful, Respect life, Free the mind from evil, Work in service to others, Resist evil, Practice meditation