Chapter Five:Ancient Civilizations of India and China

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Culture and Values, 6th Ed.Cunningham and Reich

Indian Civilization

The Indus River Valley Civilization– Harappa and Mohenjo-daro– Agriculture-based society (cotton)– Centralization– Ecological disasters– Aryan invasions

The Aryans Indus Valley settlements c. 1500 B.C.E. Uncertain origins Sanskrit Caste System Agricultural / Pastoral Culture Tribal structure Epics: Ramayana, Mahabharata

Aryan Religion

Complex, precise ceremonies and rituals The Vedas (Rig Veda)

– Core text of Hindu temple worship Upanishads

– Philosophical focus– Brahman and Atman: “Tat tvam asi.”

Hinduism

Priest and temple + meditation and study– Puja

Path to ultimate reality, Brahman– Path of Asceticism– Path of Karma– Path of Devotion (bhakti)

Buddha Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.E.)

– Inescapability of suffering and death– “Enlightened One”

Fourfold Noble Path– Eightfold Path– Emphasis on ethical, moderate living

Liberation through knowledge– Truth lies within

Emperor Ashoka

Unified all of India Buddhism as state religion

– Doctrine of Non-violence Rock Edicts Buddhist monks as missionaries

[Image 5.2]Lion capital

Hindu and Buddhist Art

Hindu Art Religious in spirit Eroticism Naturalism Unity in all life forms

– Avatars

Buddhist Art Focus on spirituality Calm, transcendent

images – Buddha, Bodhisattvas– Renunciation of

worldly pleasures

The Gupta Empire and Its Aftermath

Chandra Gupta I (C.E. 320) Chandra Gupta II (ruled 380-415)

– “The Sun of Power”– Decline of Buddhism, rise of Hinduism

Gupta Literature– Kalidasa’s Sakuntala– Sudraka’s The Little Clay Cart

The Gupta Empire and Its Aftermath

Gupta Science– Foundation of large universities– Mechanics, medicine, mathematics

Collapse of Gupta Rule– The White Huns– Religion vs. Secular Politics

Origins of Civilization in China

Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 B.C.E.)– Bronze craftsmanship – Trade, commerce– System of writing

Chou Dynasty (1100-221 B.C.E.)– Emperors coordinated separate kingdoms– Period of the Warring States (403-221 B.C.E.)

Origins of Civilization in China

Confucianism– Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.)– Creating a new, virtuous social order– Five inner virtues, two outer virtues– Purpose of the State– Authority and discipline

Origins of Civilization in China Taoism

– Lao Tzu (570 B.C.E.)– Limitations of human perceptions– “the Way” (tao)– Tao te ching– Passivity and resignation– “the soft yield of water cleaves the obstinate

stone”

The Unification of China

Ch’in Dynasty (221 B.C.E.)– Shih Huang-ti, “First Emperor”– Hsien-yang, captial city– Centralization– Burning of the Books– The Great Wall– The Emperor’s tomb

The Unification of China

The Han Dynasty (202 B.C.E. - C.E. 202)– Kao-tsu (256-195 B.C.E.)– Elaborate central bureaucracy– Reconstruction of philosophical texts

Aristocratic feuds / civil war T’ang Dynasty (C.E. 618-906)

– China’s Golden Age

The Arts in Classical China:Literature

The Five Classics Popularity of poetry

– Li Po (C.E. 701-762) Philosophical writing

– Mahayana, Hinayana Buddhism Short story

The Arts in Classical China:Visual Arts

Blend of new and traditional styles Direct impressions of daily life Shrines, monumental carvings Emphasis on craftsmanship

– Precision and clarity of design Calligraphy

– Emphasis on beauty of line

Chapter Five: Discussion Questions In what ways does the classical art of China reflect the

values of the major philosophical schools of the time? Explain, citing specific examples of art.

To what extent does literature serve as both an impediment of and a vehicle for reigning governments? Consider the use of literature during the various Chinese dynasties in comparison with the role of literature in the early Greek and Roman cultures.

Explain the difference between Buddhism as it first emerged in India from the Hindu tradition versus the Buddhism practiced in China. To what can we attribute these differences?