Chivalry in Medieval Europe (approx. 500-1300 c .e.)

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Religion society in World HistoryMr. Bauer
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Can you Identify these Symbols with a religious
affiliation?
________________?
Buddhism
Confucianism
_______________?
Hinduism
_______________?
Christianity
_______________?
Jainism
_______________?
Sikhism
_______________?
Judaism
_______________?
Shintoism
_______________?
Islam
_______________?
Taoism
_______________?
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Animistic Beliefs

• Animism is the belief that nature is alive with
  spirits that have feelings and can be
  communicated with. It is often believed that the
  earth itself is alive and has anima (spirit). As
  a result almost any animal one can think of has
  been worshiped. Mountains, trees, and heavenly
  bodies have also been worshiped.

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Hinduism Religious-Social-Political Implications

• Hinduism teaches of God as being beyond form and
  quality. (many interpretations)
• -This ultimate reality or divine essence is
  referred to as BRAHMAN.
• This divine essence 'appears' as the physical
  universe and also as all living things
  -Therefore all are sacred as they represent an
  image of God Ahimsa (nonviolence)

• Hindus greet one another with the phrase,
  namaste recognizing this oneness.
• The name given to God as our true self is
  'Atman'.
• Some adherents believe in the dualistic view of
  existence where they strive through fulfillment
  of dharma within ones caste to attempt to break
  the cycle of karma. (Now read your handout on
  Dharma and the Caste System)
• Adjoining of Atman w/ Brahman
• liberation of karma Moksha(release)

A belief in Reincarnation, Ahimsa, Karma, and
Dharma as a way of life Brahmin priests
having elevated status over Khsatriya rulers /
warriors
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Ones own dharma, performed imperfectly, is
better than anothers dharma well performed.
Destruction in ones own dharma is better, for to
perform anothers dharma leads to danger. (Bg.
3.35) -Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the
Bhagavad Gita
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Dharma
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The Indian-Hindu Caste System
Nobody (No Hindu concept of a Deified Ruler)
Brahmin Priests (Hindu Religion Reigns Above all else!)
Kshatriya Kings, Warriors (Regional Political rulers)
Vaisya Merchants, Farmers, Artisans
Shudra Servants, Tenant Farmers

• This is a rigid religious-
• based hierarchy with
• Social-Political implications
• concerning
• Karma
• Dharma
• reincarnation

Untouchables (unclean laborers)
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Buddhism !as a reaction to Hinduism
Living in a Hindu Kshatriya Caste family,
Siddhartha (6th century BCE) still felt a need
to discover the truth to life.

• Life is suffering
• Suffering is caused by desire (Tahna)
• To end suffering, end desire
• To end desire, follow the Buddha The Eightfold
  Path
• Nirvana (release)can be attained through right
  actions, intentions, meditation and the
  discipline of ones mind.
• No creator gods, just the pursuit of
  enlightenment
• Everything is transient, life is an illusion
• One must discover individual way to Nirvana
• Metta, benevolence, and Dharma, (LAW of
  proper behavior through the Buddhas teachings
  and actions)
• Which groups would find Buddhism so appealing?
  Why? Impact in world history?.....

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Mandate of Heaven Rise and Fall of Political
Dynasties in Chinese History1029 B.C.E. 1912
C.E.
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Fundamental Principles of ConfucianismThese are
the principles and ethics by which a person
should live by, according to Confucius (5th
century BCE). If a person inculcates these
principles he will be worthy of being called 'the
ideal man' or junzi.Jen The most important
of all principles. It means being kind and humane
to your fellow beings. It is about helping out
others - benevolence.Li The principle of
self-restraint and sense of propriety that should
be inculcated in a person humility. A person
should always act in a honorable way and respect
his elders, his ancestors and his family members
(Filial Piety). It includes following of all the
social etiquettes and mannerisms rites. Hsiao
Hsiao is love for the immediate family and then
society. It's the principle of love of parents
for their children and of children for their
parents. If every family is united and happy, the
society will prosper.Yi The principle of
righteousness. It is upholding what is right
above everything else and sacrificing oneself for
it, if need be.Shu reciprocity doing onto
others.Chung Loyalty to one's family and to
one's country. Loyalty is a quality which binds a
country strongly together.The Five
RelationshipsConfucius specified the five
important relationships that an individual is a
part of. If he maintained each of those
relationships dutifully, the society will
stabilize and prosper automatically. Ruler to
subject Father to son Husband to wife Older
brother to younger brother Friend to friend
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Confucian Philosophy and the Greater Society
Mandarins
Not so much a religion, as a Socio-political
system of principles and ethics!
Mean People

• Question Where is the Emperor in society?
• With the exception of the top, this pyramid does
  not necessarily reflect hierarchy, and is
  sometimes re-arranged by various scholars.
• Scholars are highly revered in a Confucianist
  society due to the admiration for EDUCATION and
  the learned Gentleman (merited status). The
  aristocracy were born into their status.
• Farmers by NO MEANS were more influential then
  the merchant class. They simply epitomize the
  Confucianist qualities of humility and obligation
  towards the welfare of the state, rather then
  seeking profit as merchants do.