APWH Ch. 5

Bhakti Movement

an immensely popular development in Hinduism that advocated intense devotion toward a particular deity. This began in ancient Tamil Nadu and began to spread to the north through the late medieval ages when north India was under Islamic rule. The bhakti movement is important because it was different from the prevalent caste ideology, which was dividing Hinduism. In this there was no grouping of the mystics into Shaiva and Vaishnava devotees as there was in the south.

Mahayana

"Great Vehicle," the popular development of Buddhism in the early centuries of the Common Era, which gives a much greater role to supernatural beings and which proved to be more popular than original Buddhism. The Mahayana is important because it is the larger of the two major traditions of Buddhism existing today, the other being that of the Theravada school. Also, according to the teachings of Mahayana traditions, "Mahayana" refers to the path of seeking complete enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Theravada

"Teaching of the Elders," early form of Buddhism that portrayed the Buddha as a wise teacher but not divine and that emphasized practices rather than beliefs. This is important enough to be studied because it's still around today, meaning it's the longest surviving Buddhist branch. Also, for many centuries, it has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka, almost 70% of the population, and most of continental Southeast Asia.

Aristotle

He was Greek polymath philosopher (384-322 BCE); a student of Plato and a teacher of Alexander the Great. He's important because he's one of the most important founding figures in Western philosophy. Aristotle's writings were the first to create a complete system of Western philosophy, surrounding morality, aesthetics, logic, science, politics, and metaphysics.

Jesus of Nazareth

He was the prophet/god of Christianity (4 BCE- 30 CE). He's important because to Christians He is considered the Messiah, although to the Jews, He is not the awaited Messiah because He didn't fulfill the correct prophecies. Plus the large majority of modern historians agree that Jesus existed as a Jewish teacher from Galilee in Roman Judaea, was baptized by John the Baptist, and was crucified in Jerusalem on the orders of the Roman Prefect, Pontius Pilate.

Zoroastrianism

Persian monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Zarathustra some time before the 6th century BCE in the eastern part of ancient Greater Iran. It's important because it was one of the first monotheistic religions during this time period. And it served as the national or state religion of a significant portion of the Iranian people for many centuries.

Constantine

Roman emperor (306-337 CE) whose conversion to Christianity paved the way for the triumph of Christianity in Europe. He's important because he defeated the emperors Maxentius and Licinius during civil wars. He also fought successfully against the Franks, Alamanni, Visigoths, and Sarmatians during his reign; he even resettled parts of Dacia which had been abandoned during the previous century.

Theodosius

Roman emperor (379-395 CE) who made Christianity the official religion of the Roman state, banning all polytheistic rituals. He is important because he is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church as Saint Theodosius. Also he defeated the usurpers Magnus Maximus and Eugenius and fostered the destruction of some prominent pagan temples: the Serape in Alexandria, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, and the Vestal Virgins in Rome.

Bhagavad Gita

This is a great Hindu text that affirms the performance of caste duties as a path to religious liberation; part of the much larger epic poem Mahabharata. It was created around the time of the beginning of Hinduism in India. This is important because it upholds the essence and the philosophical tradition of the Upanishads. Although, it was unlike the demanding monism of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita also incorporates dualism and theism.

Zhuangzi

a Chinese philosopher (369-286 BCE) who spelled out the teachings of Daoism. He is important because his work is considered one of the definitive texts of Daoism and is thought to be more comprehensive than the Daodejing, which is attributed to Laozi (mentioned earlier). Zhuangzi's teachings also exercised a great influence on the development of Chinese Buddhism and had substantial effect on Chinese landscape painting and poetry.

Legalism

a Chinese philosophy distinguished by an adherence to clear laws enforced with vigorous punishments during the Han Dynasty. This philosophy is important, because fully emerged during the Warring States Period, which was a critical point in ancient Chinese history. The Warring States Period and the preceding were marked by frequent violence and war, and many new philosophies were founded to cope with the environment of the time including, Daoism, Confucianism, and Mohism.

Daoism

a Chinese philosophy/ popular religion that advocates simplicity and understand the world of nature. It was founded in the 6th Century BC Chinese philosopher Laozi. It's important, because it's had profound influence on Chinese culture in the course of the centuries, and priests of established Daoism usually make sure to note the distinction between their ritual tradition and the customs and practices found in Chinese folk religion as these distinctions sometimes appear blurred. And also it's because Daoism had influence on surrounding societies in Asia even beyond China.

Thales of Miletus

a Greek natural philosopher (624-547 BCE), noted for his application of reason to astronomy and for his questioning of the fundamental nature of the universe. He's important because Thales attempted to explain natural phenomena without reference to mythology and was tremendously influential in this respect. Almost all of the other pre-Socratic philosophers follow him in attempting to provide an explanation of ultimate substance, change, and the existence of the world—without reference to mythology.

Zarathustra

a Persian prophet, traditionally dated to the sixth or seventh century BCE, who founded Zoroastrianism. Not much is known about him, but he's important because every tribe that converted to Zoroastrianism made up legends about the prophet's life, and nearly all of them claimed that the great teacher was "one of them". Also a remarkable aspect of Zarathustra's teaching is that he employs special words to describe the demons...interesting...wonder if these worlds are still around today...I'll have to remember to check

Plato

a disciple of Socrates whose dialogues convey the teachings of his master while going beyond them to express Plato's own philosophy. He lived from 429 to 348 BCE. He's important because along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the foundations of Western philosophy and science. Also, he wrote many Socratic dialogues.

Laozi

a legendary Chinese philosopher of the sixth century BCE; regarded as the founder of Daoism. He is important because he founded Daoism, and is commonly referred to as a deity in most Daoist philosophy. Also, he was a central figure in Chinese culture and many people even want to be related to him he's so popular.

Pythagoras

a major Greek philosopher (560-480 BCE) who believed that an unchanging mathematical order underlies the apparent chaos of the world. He's important enough to learn about, because Pythagoras made influential contributions to philosophy and religious teaching in the late 6th century BC. Although not much is reliably known about him, but he is often revered as a great mathematician, mystic and scientist, although he is best known for the Pythagorean Theorem which bears his name.

Ban Zhao

a major female Confucian author of Han-dynasty-era China (45-166 CE) whose works give insight to the implication of Confucian thinking for women. She is important because she also wrote Lessons for Women, an influential work advising women to be submissive. She also had great interest in astronomy and mathematics and wrote poems, commemorative writings, argumentations, commentaries, essays and several longer works, not all of which survive.

Greek Rationalism

a secularizing system of scientific and philosophic thought that developed in classical Greece in the period 600 to 300 BCE; it emphasized the power of education and human reason to understand the world in nonreligious terms. This is important because it was eventually suppressed by the movement of Christianity and this changed the culture of Greece and places near it. Plus, it was different than other religions during that time, basing itself on reasoning instead of faith.

Hippocrates

a very influential Greek medical theorist (460- 370 BCE) regarded as the father of medicine. He's important because the "Hippocratic School of Medicine" revolutionized medicine in ancient Greece, establishing it as a discipline distinct from other fields that it had traditionally been associated with, this established medicine as a profession. Also, he wrote well known medical works such as The Complicated Body, about many of the things we know to be true today...daggon he must've been freakishly smart to figure out stuff that was actually proven with today's technology, way back then.

Hinduism

a word derived from outsiders to describe the vast diversity of indigenous Indian religious traditions that began as late as 1500 BCE in India. This religion is important because it caused a phenomenal change in Indian values and traditions. Also, it pretty much gave birth to Buddhism which is a pretty major religion in Asia now.

Yin & Yang

expression of the Chinese belief in the unity of opposites. Its earliest reference was in approximately in 700 BC in China. It's important because they believe everything has both yin and yang aspects as light could not be understood if darkness didn't exist, and shadow cannot exist without light. Either of these aspects may manifest more strongly in a particular object depending on the criterion of the observation.

Moksha

in Hindu belief, liberation from separate existence and union with Brahman that originated in Ancient India. This is important enough for us to study in class, because it was said to have created because humans began to fear death. And this proves to us that they knew they weren't invincible and wanted something to fall back on in case they needed it, it also shows their culture.

Karma

in Hinduism, the determining factor of the level at which an individual is reincarnated, based on that individual's purity of action and fulfillment of duty in his or her prior existence. This was around the time of Hinduism in India (1500 BCE). Karma is important in Hinduism, because without karma the people of this society would have no motivation to do good in the world. Plus, it allowed for many people to have the hope that they would be reincarnated into something like a king or pharaoh instead of a farmer. (So freaking interesting, I could spend forever and a day learning about this.)

Angra Mainyu

in Zoroastrianism, this is the evil god engages in a cosmic struggle with Ahura Mazda. He was worshipped in Persia some point before the 6th century BCE. He is important because he is seen as the image of evil; he was the leader of the dark forces against the hosts of Spenta Mainyu, (the holy spirit) who assisted Ahura Mazda (the wise lord) and champion of the cosmic conflict. Plus, he was said to have had control over the autumn and winter seasons which was probably important to the people, with him being evil and all he probably was pretty harsh.

Ahura Mazda

in Zoroastrianism, this is the good god who rules the world. This was sometime before 6th century BCE around in Persia. He is important because he was their lord of light and wisdom, the creator and upholder of truth. Also, Ahura Mazda is an omniscient god, who created a being called Angra Mainyu, the "evil spirit" who after choosing evil and as the creator of evil was destroyed according to the initiation of the destruction of evil.

Judaism

monotheistic religion, developed by the Hebrews; that emphasizes a sole personal god (Yahweh) with concerns for social justice. This is important because Judaism is considered by religious Jews to be the expression of the covenantal relationship God established with the Children of Israel. Also, it is one of the oldest monotheistic religions that are still around today.

Isaiah

one of the most important prophets of Judaism, whose teachings show the transformation of the religion in favor of compassion and social justice. He lived in the 8th-century BC Kingdom of Judah. He was important because it is stated in the first verse of the Book of Isaiah that he prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, and the kings of Judah. And during this time he prophesized to many people, who started to take faith in Judaism, which means he changed many people's lives this way.

Warring States Period

period in China from 403 to 221 BCE that was typified by disorder and political chaos. This is important because this period was reunited by the Qin dynasty, which was a highly influential society. Also, the struggle for domination eventually created a state system dominated by several large states, such as Jin, Chu, Qin and Qi, while the smaller states of the Central Plains tended to be their satellites and tributaries. It was eventually unified by the Qin dynasty.

Upanishads

sacred, mystical, and highly philosophical Indian texts that were written between 800 and 400 BCE. These texts are important because they're commentaries which explain the essence of the Veda. Plus, they are considered pretty much the basis of Hinduism, and I don't know about you, but that seems pretty important to me.

Confucianism

the Chinese philosophy first enunciated by Confucius, advocating the moral example of superiors as the key element of social order. Confucianism originated during the spring and Autumn Period, but later developed abstract and astral elements in the Han Dynasty. This philosophy is important because it became the official state ideology of China, until it was replaced by the "Three Principles of the People" ideology with the establishment of the Republic of China. Also, the core of this is the belief that human beings can be perfected through personal and communal effort especially including self-cultivation and self-creation.

Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)

the Indian prince turned ascetic (566-486 BCE) who founded Buddhism. He's important because he was the founder of Buddhism, and founded because of intense meditation and spiritual peace. Also, the Buddha found a Middle Way that ameliorated the extreme asceticism found in the Sramana religions

Brahman

the World Soul or final reality in Upanishadic Hindu belief, in the traditional Hindu societies of Nepal and India around 1500 BCE. This is important because Hinduism had a profound effect on Nepal and India, and still affects the world today. Plus the sages of the Upanishads teach that Brahman is the ultimate essence of material phenomena which cannot be seen or heard but whose nature can be known through the development of self-knowledge. (Pronounce Bra-Man...lol)

Dao de Jing

the central text of Daoism; translated as The Way and Its Power. It was written around the 6th century BC by the sage Laozi in China. This is important because it's the fundamental to both philosophical and religious Daoism and strongly influenced other schools, such as Legalism, Confucianism and Chinese Buddhism. Plus its influence can be seen in words and phrases that have become well-established in English.

Buddhism

the cultural/religious tradition first enunciated by Siddhartha Guatama. The Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. Buddhism is important because he is recognized by Buddhists as an enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help emotional beings stop suffering by removing ignorance and craving through understanding which would then attain nirvana. This gave them something to work for and be good to others for, so when they died they would be reincarnated as something completely awesome.

Vedas

the earliest religious texts of Indian, a collection of ancient poems, hymns, and rituals that were transmitted orally before being written down around 600 BCE. This collection is important because it not only affected the Hindu's but also the Buddhists, Jainism, and Sikhism. They also give a unique view of everyday life in India four thousand years ago.

Nirvana

the end goal of Buddhism, in which individual identity is "extinguished," resulting in a state of serenity and great compassion, sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE in India. This is important because it was their goal, so they might not become fat and lazy like the Romans and eventually collapse. Also, it caused the people to want to do good and be kind, so they wouldn't have to suffer and might be reincarnated as a king/ emperor.

Socrates

the first great Greek philosopher to turn rationalism toward questions of human existence (469 BC - 399 BC). He is important because through his portrayal in Plato's dialogues, Socrates has become well known for his contribution to the field of ethics, and it is this Platonic Socrates who also lends his name to the concepts of Socratic irony and the Socratic Method. Also, Socrates did not write philosophical texts, the knowledge of the man, his life, and his philosophy is entirely based on writings by his students and contemporaries

Saint Paul

the first great popularize of Christianity (10-65 CE in Rome). He's important, because of his association as a prominent apostle of Christianity during the spreading of the Gospel through early Christian communities across the Roman Empire. Plus he influenced many lives, and changed many people's faiths and cultures

Confucius (Kong Fuzi)

the founder of Confucianism (551-479 BCE); an aristocrat of northern China who proved to the greatest influence on Chinese culture in its history. He's important, because he founded Confucianism; I mean c'mon that's kind of a big deal. Not only did he do that his principles had a basis in common Chinese tradition and belief. He championed strong family loyalty, ancestor worship, respect of elders by their children and respect of husbands by their wives.

Filial Piety

the honoring of one's ancestors and parents, a key element of Confucianism. This was around 470 BCE in China, after Confucianism was brought out. It's important enough for us to learn because it is a virtue of respect for one's parents and ancestors. Filial piety is considered the first virtue in Chinese culture, and it is the main concern of a large number of stories such as The Twenty-four Filial Exemplars.

Atman

the human soul, which in classic Hindu belief seeks union with Brahman. This was around 1500 BCE in India. And it's important because in Hindu, to achieve salvation, one must realize that one's true self is identical with the superior Brahman.

Brahmins

the priestly caste of India around 1500 BCE. This is important because they are said to occupy the highest position among the four varnas of Hinduism. Also, it's a misconception that they're only priests, when in reality they all had many different jobs such as doctor, warriors, writers, etc. which shows that they were allowing many "normalish" people doing grand jobs.