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[[World History Lecture One|1]]-[[World History Lecture Two|2]]-[[World History Lecture Three|3]]-[[World History Lecture Four|4]]-[[World History Lecture Five|5]]-[[World History Lecture Six|6]]-[[World History Lecture Seven|7]]-[[World History Lecture Eight|8]]-[[World History Lecture Nine|9]]-[[World History Lecture Ten|10]]-[[World History Lecture Eleven|11]]-[[World History Lecture Twelve|12]]-[[World History Lecture Thirteen|13]]-[[World History Lecture Fourteen|14]]

[[World History Lecture One|1]]-[[World History Lecture Two|2]]-[[World History Lecture Three|3]]-[[World Histor'

y Lecture Four|4]]-[[World History Lecture Five|5]]-[[World History Lecture Six|6]]-[[World History Lecture Seven|7]]-[[World History Lecture Eight|8]]-[[World History Lecture Nine|9]]-[[World History Lecture Ten|10]]-[[World History Lecture Eleven|11]]-[[World History Lecture Twelve|12]]-[[World History Lecture Thirteen|13]]-[[World History Lecture Fourteen|14]]

We take a break this week from Western Civilization and instead turn to the great ancient empires in the East:  India and China.  This requires learning about many new religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.  Then we conclude by returning to the Middle East and discussing the rise of Christianity.   

We take a break this week from Western Civilization and instead turn to the great ancient empires in the East:  India and China.  This requires learning about many new religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.  Then we conclude by returning to the Middle East and discussing the rise of Christianity.   

Just as language shapes a culture's success and way of thinking, religion plays a large role in society.  It is easy to see the differences between, for example, Islamic and Christian culture.  Each has its own way of life, dress, social structure, and much more.

Just as language shapes a culture's success and way of thinking, religion plays a large role in society.  It is easy to see the differences between, for example, Islamic and Christian culture.  Each has its own way of life, dress, social structure, and much more.

It is also possible that learning about other religions, and how they differ from Christianity, can strengthen one’s appreciation of Christianity.  Christianity has spread more than any other religion, moving from the Middle East to the Roman Empire to the Northern Barbarians in Europe and eventually to all of Africa and both North and South America.  Islam, in contrast, has always been strongest in the Middle East, where it began, and hasn't spread nearly as wide as Christianity or as far across different social classes.

It is also possible that learning about other religions, and how they differ from Christianity, can strengthen one's appreciation of Christianity.  Christianity has spread more than any other religion, moving from the Middle East to the Roman Empire to the Northern Barbarians in Europe and eventually to all of Africa and both North and South America.  Islam, in contrast, has always been strongest in the Middle East, where it began, and hasn't spread nearly as wide as Christianity or as far across different social classes.

One final reason to study different religions and cultures is to see how distant peoples struggled with religious issues without the benefit of Christianity and came to certain conclusions about life, morals, and unseen truth.

One final reason to study different religions and cultures is to see how distant peoples struggled with religious issues without the benefit of Christianity and came to certain conclusions about life, morals, and unseen truth.

=== Ancient India ===

=== Ancient India ===

The roots of ancient India were settlements in the fertile Indus River Valley, in what is now Pakistan and northwest India (see the map on the right).  This was one of the most fertile regions in the world at the time, with plentiful farm products and animals.  The region was surrounded in the north by the Himalaya mountains, protected to the west by the Indu Kush mountains, and insulated from the east by the Great Indian Desert.  Just as Egypt had unique geographic protections against invasion by foreign enemies,so did the Indus River Valley.  Two cities have been discovered there:  Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa (pronounced "huh-ROP-uh").  Other small towns have also been unearthed.  This ancient civilization existed from about 3000 B.C. to 1300 B.C., and its peak was 2600 to 1900 B.C.  It is known as the Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan Civilization, named after its big city, Harappa.  These early settlements existed long before ''classical'' Indian civilization, which thrived from 300 B.C. to A.D. 500 (similar in time to the Roman Empire).  The early settlements of ancient India, dating back to 3000 B.C., are among the largest ancient civilizations we know of.

The roots of ancient India were settlements in the fertile Indus River Valley, in what is now Pakistan and northwest India (see the map on the right).  This was one of the most fertile regions in the world at the time, with plentiful farm products and animals.  The region was surrounded in the north by the Himalaya mountains, protected to the west by the Indu Kush mountains, and insulated from the east by the Great Indian Desert.  Just as Egypt had unique geographic protections against invasion by foreign enemies, so did the Indus River Valley.  Two cities have been discovered there:  Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa (pronounced "huh-ROP-uh").  Other small towns have also been unearthed.  This ancient civilization existed from about 3000 B.C. to 1300 B.C., and its peak was 2600 to 1900 B.C.  It is known as the Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan Civilization, named after its big city, Harappa.  These early settlements existed long before ''classical'' Indian civilization, which thrived from 300 B.C. to A.D. 500 (similar in time to the Roman Empire).  The early settlements of ancient India, dating back to 3000 B.C., are among the largest ancient civilizations we know of.

Writings have been found from ancient India, but no one has been able to decipher them yet.  The reason these writings are so difficult to decipher is that the symbols are extremely tiny, and all the writings we have contain only a few of these symbols.  This is a good task for young experts in language!

Writings have been found from ancient India, but no one has been able to decipher them yet.  The reason these writings are so difficult to decipher is that the symbols are extremely tiny, and all the writings we have contain only a few of these symbols.  This is a good task for young experts in language!

In terms of technology, the inhabitants of these ancient settlements were quite advanced.  The ancient peoples of the Indus River Valley civilization had advanced use of water:  pipes, drains and even indoor bathrooms.  They were precise with mathematics, and used this skill to measure weight and mass quite accurately.  But unlike most other civilizations in the 2000s B.C., the ruins of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa do not contain any large palaces or monuments to false gods.

In terms of technology, the inhabitants of these ancient settlements were quite advanced.  The ancient peoples of the Indus River Valley civilization had advanced use of water:  pipes, drains and even indoor bathrooms.  They were precise with mathematics, and used this skill to measure weight and mass accurately.  But unlike most other civilizations in the 2000s B.C., the ruins of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa do not contain any large palaces or monuments to false gods.

The ancient Indian people survived on agriculture and traded with Mesopotamia, but a good portions of the inhabitants were tradesmen, as artistic artifacts from Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa illustrate.   

The ancient Indian people survived on agriculture and traded with Mesopotamia, but many of the inhabitants were tradesmen, as artistic artifacts from Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa illustrate.   

As mentioned above, the fertile land and geographic protection of the Indus River Valley allowed and facilitated success by early civilizations there.  The Sarasvati River, which is named after a Hindu goddess, was the largest in ancient India, flowing west of Delhi and providing water to a fertile region as described in the Rig Veda, which is the most fundamental of the sacred Vedic Hindu texts.  (The river has since completely dried up, but was proven to have existed by satellite photographs of India.)  Food and commerce in the Indus River Valley was based on barley (yava), copper (ayas) and cattle.  By 2600 B.C., the Indus-Sarasvati civilization became the largest civilization in the ancient world, spreading from Pakistan to many areas of India today.  It had links to Mesopotamia, Afghanistan, Central Asia and elsewhere.  Its population is estimated to have been 100,000, which is far more than most cities in New Jersey today.

As mentioned above, the fertile land and geographic protection of the Indus River Valley allowed and facilitated success by early civilizations there.  The Sarasvati River, which is named after a Hindu goddess, was the largest in ancient India, flowing west of Delhi and providing water to a fertile region as described in the Rig Veda, which is the most fundamental of the sacred Vedic Hindu texts.  (The river has since completely dried up, but was proven to have existed by satellite photographs of India.)  Food and commerce in the Indus River Valley was based on barley (yava), copper (ayas) and cattle.  By 2600 B.C., the Indus-Sarasvati civilization became the largest civilization in the ancient world, spreading from Pakistan to many areas of India today.  It had trade connections with Mesopotamia, Afghanistan, Central Asia and elsewhere.  Its population is estimated to have been 100,000, which is far more than most cities in New Jersey today.

By 2000 B.C., the world's population was 27 million, 22% of which lived in India.  Interestingly, India still contains a high percentage of the world's population, but not quite as high as back then: today India has 16% or so of the world's population, or about 1 billion people.  Three of the world's ten most populated cities today are in India: Bombay (recently renamed as Mumbai), Calcutta and Delhi.

By 2000 B.C., the world's population was 27 million, 22% of which lived in India.  Interestingly, India still contains a high percentage of the world's population, but not quite as high as back then: today India has 16% or so of the world's population, or about 1 billion people.  Three of the world's ten most populated cities today are in India: Bombay (recently renamed as Mumbai), Calcutta and Delhi.

With prosperity in the Indus River Valley came more migration.  Around 1500 B.C., nomads known as "Aryans" invaded through the Bolan and Khyber passes in the Hindu Kush mountain range.  The Aryans spoke Sanskrit, an Indo-European language.  They conquered the Dravidians and caused them to south into India.  Religious (Hindu, the adjective for Hinduism) literature describes these struggles in the "Rig Veda" and two long poems known as the "Mahabharata" and the "Ramayana".  By 900 B.C. iron smelting was discovered and became useful in making weapons and tools to clear fields and the jungle for agriculture.  The Aryans were very successful in cultivating the land along the banks of the Ganges River Valley, aided by forceful winds known as monsoons that brought rain from the Indian Ocean.  Rice was the most popular crop, and remains the world's leading crop even today.

With prosperity in the Indus River Valley came more migration.  Around 1500 B.C., Aryans nomads invaded through the Bolan and Khyber passes in the Hindu Kush mountain range.  The Aryans spoke Sanskrit, an Indo-European language.  They conquered the Dravidians and forced them southward into what is now India.  Religious (Hindu, the adjective for Hinduism) literature describes these struggles in the "Rig Veda" and two long poems known as the "Mahabharata" and the "Ramayana".  By 900 B.C. iron smelting was discovered and became useful in making weapons and tools to clear fields and the jungle for agriculture.  The Aryans were very successful in cultivating the land along the banks of the Ganges River Valley, aided by forceful winds known as monsoons that brought rain from the Indian Ocean.  Rice was the most popular crop, and remains the world's leading crop even today.

By 975 B.C., the King Hiram of Phoenicia encouraged trade between India and King Solomon of Israel.  In 950 B.C., Jewish people arrived in India in King Solomon's merchant fleet, and later established colonies there.  Around the same time, perhaps due to increased trade, Sanskrit began to decline as the spoken language of India.  Priestly Sanskrit was later refined between 750 and 250 B.C.   

By 975 B.C., King Hiram of Phoenicia encouraged trade between India and King Solomon of Israel.  In 950 B.C., Jewish people arrived in India in King Solomon's merchant fleet, and later established colonies there.  Around the same time, perhaps due to increased trade, Sanskrit began to decline as the spoken language of India.  Priestly Sanskrit was later refined between 750 and 250 B.C.   

Some of the people in the Indus River Valley likely migrated southeast to what is India today.  The Vedic (pronounced VAYD-ik) civilization existed from about 1500 to 500 B.C., and is credited with developing the religion and culture of Hinduism (explained further below).  Note that the "classical" civilization of India came later, after this foundation had been laid.  Classical India consisted of two major empires:  the Mauryan Empire (322-185 B.C.) and the Gupta Empire (A.D. 320-467).  Before, during and after these empires there was very little in the way of a central government, and thus, India is best understood by studying its major religion, Hinduism.  This is one of the oldest and longest-surviving religions in the history of the world, thriving to this day.  India is also the origin of two other major religions, Buddhism and Jainism.  One of Jesus' Apostles (Thomas) went to India and established a Christian community there that thrives to this day.

Some of the people in the Indus River Valley likely migrated southeast to what is India today.  The Vedic (pronounced VAYD-ik) civilization existed from about 1500 to 500 B.C., and is credited with developing the religion and culture of Hinduism (explained further below).  Note that the "classical" civilization of India came later, after this foundation had been laid.  Classical India consisted of two major empires:  the Mauryan Empire (322-185 B.C.) and the Gupta Empire (A.D. 320-467).  Before, during and after these empires there was very little in the way of a central government, and thus, India is best understood by studying its major religion, Hinduism.  This is one of the oldest and longest-surviving religions in the history of the world.  India is also the origin of two other major religions, Buddhism and Jainism.  One of Jesus' Apostles (Thomas) went to India and established a Christian community there that thrives to this day.

=== Classical Indian Civilization ===

=== Classical Indian Civilization ===

Later Alexander the Great invaded this region in 327 B.C., spreading [[Greeks|Greek]] influence.  The time Alexander's troops spent in India must have been a strange experience for them.  For example, they had never seen elephants.  Imagine their surprise when the Indians fought from atop these massive creatures during a battle on the banks of the river.  In that same battle, Alexander's favorite horse, Buchephalus, was injured and died.  After that, Alexander wanted to continue East, but his troops refused, and he was forced to leave India unconquered.  So only India was able to stop Alexander the Great, or at least survive his conquests.

Later Alexander the Great invaded this region in 327 B.C., spreading [[Greeks|Greek]] influence.  The time Alexander's troops spent in India must have been a strange experience for them.  For example, they had never seen elephants.  Imagine their surprise when the Indians fought from atop these massive creatures during a battle on the banks of the river.  In that same battle, Alexander's favorite horse, Buchephalus, was injured and died.  After that, Alexander wanted to continue East, but his troops refused, and he was forced to leave India unconquered.  So only India was able to stop Alexander the Great, or at least survive his conquests.

Afterward, in 322 B.C., Chandragupta Mauryan defeated the Greek general Seleucus, who ruled a large part of East Asia which Alexander the Great had conquered.  Chandragupta Mauryan became king of Seleucus' land, creating the largest Indian empire in India's history.  He built an elaborate capital city at Pataliputra, which surpassed even the splendor of the great Persian cities, and was the largest city in the world at that time, with over 150,000 inhabitants,<ref>http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0038472.html</ref> and was home to several Buddhist monasteries.   

Afterward, in 322 B.C., Chandragupta Mauryan defeated the Greek general Seleucus, who ruled a large part of East Asia which Alexander the Great had conquered.  Chandragupta Mauryan became king of Seleucus' land, creating the largest Indian empire in India's history.  He built an elaborate capital city at Pataliputra, which surpassed even the splendor of the great Persian cities, and was the largest city in the world at that time, with over 150,000 inhabitants.<ref>http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0038472.html</ref> It was home to several Buddhist monasteries.   

Chandragupta Mauryan built a massive army of 500,000 soldiers and his adviser, Kautilya, wrote a book how to maintain political power called the Arthashastra.  He wrote that punishment was the key to government.  In other words, Chandragupta was a tough dictator.  But his name is revered, as many Indians to this day bear the last name of "Chandra" or "Gupta".

Chandragupta Mauryan built a massive army of 500,000 soldiers and his adviser, Kautilya, wrote a book how to maintain political power entitled the "Arthashastra".  He wrote that punishment was the key to government.  In other words, Chandragupta was a tough dictator.  But his name is revered, as many Indians to this day bear the last name of "Chandra" or "Gupta".

Chandragupta's grandson, Ashoka, underwent a religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism while he held power (268-232 B.C.).  Buddhism emphasizes non-violence and Ashoka's conversion caused him to rule as a benevolent dictator, stressing compassion and even apologizing for his role in killing 150,000 Indians!  He displayed tolerance towards all religions and helped erect shrines to Hinduism and Jainism, another religion of India.  He elevated the status of women, who were already highly respected under the Hindu culture.  In Buddhism women could become monks.  He also promoted trade with the expanding Roman empire to the West, and the growing Han dynasty in China to the East.  But after Ashoka died, the empire fell into civil war, and became vulnerable to outside invaders, such as the Bactrian Greeks in the second century B.C. and the Buddhist Kushan in 100 B.C.  A council of Buddhist monks was convened under Kanishka, King of Kushan, to regulate Buddhism, and the result was a new form of Buddhism:  Mahayana Buddhism.

Chandragupta's grandson, Ashoka, underwent a religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism while he held power (268-232 B.C.).  Buddhism emphasizes non-violence and Ashoka's conversion caused him to rule as a benevolent dictator, stressing compassion and even apologizing for his role in killing 150,000 Indians!  He displayed tolerance towards all religions and helped erect shrines to Hinduism and Jainism, another religion of India.  Ashoka elevated the status of women, who were already highly respected under the Hindu culture.  In Buddhism women could become monks.  He also promoted trade with the expanding Roman empire to the West, and with the growing Han dynasty in China to the East.  But after Ashoka died, the empire fell into civil war, and became vulnerable to outside invaders, such as the Bactrian Greeks in the second century B.C. and the Buddhist Kushan in 100 B.C.  A council of Buddhist monks was convened under Kanishka, King of Kushan, to regulate Buddhism, and the result was a new form of Buddhism:  Mahayana Buddhism.

The other major Indian empire was the Gupta empire, from A.D. 320 to 467.  In A.D. 320 Chandra Gupta I rose to power, who had no connection with the prior ruler Chandragupta Mauryan.  Chandra Gupta I conquered the Ganges Valley, and established a new Hindu dynasty.  Trade with the rest of the world flourished under his regime, and he had a policy of religious tolerance.  Intellectual and economic achievement was high.  One famous poet and playwright was Kalidasa, who wrote epic poems and plays that were much more upbeat and happy than the dreary Greek tragedies.   

The other major Indian empire was the Gupta empire, from A.D. 320 to 467.  In A.D. 320 Chandra Gupta I rose to power, who had no connection with the prior ruler Chandragupta Mauryan.  Chandra Gupta I conquered the Ganges Valley, and established a new Hindu dynasty.  Trade with the rest of the world flourished under his regime, and he had a policy of religious tolerance.  Intellectual and economic achievement was high.  One famous poet and playwright was Kalidasa, who wrote epic poems and plays that were much more upbeat and happy than the dreary Greek tragedies.   

The Indian number system, misnamed "Arabic numerals" (misnamed because they really came from India, were not Arabic in origin), was developed. It is the system of numbers the entire world uses today: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.  A Buddhist monastery at Nalanda established a university that attracted thousands of students.  A great Indian doctor named Caraka developed a code of medical ethics, and the practice of medicine flourished.  The Indians also developed a form of iron that could withstand rust, and it was used in buildings.

The Indian number system developed, which was later misnamed the "Arabic numerals."  The entire world used this system of numbering today: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.  A Buddhist monastery at Nalanda established a university that attracted thousands of students.  A great Indian doctor named Caraka developed a code of medical ethics, and the practice of medicine flourished.  The Indians also developed a form of iron that could withstand rust, and it was used in buildings.

=== Hinduism ===

=== Hinduism ===

Hinduism was, and is, one of the most powerful and resilient religions in the history of the world.  It withstood communism; it withstood evangelism by other religions; and it has withstood (so far) Islam.  It is impossible to understand Indian without first understanding Hinduism.

Hinduism was, and is, one of the most powerful and resilient religions in the history of the world.  In the 20th century it withstood communism; throughout history it withstood evangelism by other religions; and in the last millennium it withstood Islam.  We shall see whether it continues to survive against Islam in this century.  Regardless, it is impossible to understand Indian without first understanding Hinduism.

Hinduism is an ancient polytheistic religion, consisting of multiple gods who were ultimately understood to be part of one god: Brahma, the supreme god of life.  The name "Hindu" comes from the word Hindustan, the Persian word for riverland; the birth of Hinduism was the merger of the Upanishadic and Vedic religious traditions in ancient India.  Muslim invaders of the A.D. 11th and 13th centuries began using the term "Hindu" to describe Indians from this region who were not Buddhists and who refused to convert to Islam.  In the A.D. 16th century European merchants and missionaries started using the term also.  But while Hinduism is not limited to one set of clear and specific beliefs, it does represent an overall belief system and today there are 1.05 billion adherents to Hinduism in the world, nearly all of whom live in India.  (There are also significant Muslim and Christian populations in India today; Mother Theresa won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1980 for her Christian charity work there.)   

Hinduism is an ancient polytheistic religion, consisting of multiple gods who were ultimately thought to be part of one god: Brahma, the supreme god of life.  The name "Hindu" comes from the word Hindustan, the Persian word for riverland; the birth of Hinduism was the merger of the Upanishadic and Vedic religious traditions in ancient India.  Muslim invaders of the A.D. 11th and 13th centuries began using the term "Hindu" to describe Indians from this region who were not Buddhists and who refused to convert to Islam.  In the A.D. 16th century European merchants and missionaries started using the term also.  But while Hinduism is not limited to one set of clear and specific beliefs, it does represent an overall belief system and today there are nearly one billion adherents to Hinduism in the world, nearly all of whom live in or emigrated from India.  (There are also significant Muslim and Christian populations in India today; Mother Theresa won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1980 for her Christian charity work there.)   

Hinduism focuses on "The Eternal Way," which means that certain spiritual principles are true for eternity, transcending what is man-made.  This is like a science of consciousness.  The advancement of knowledge is emphasized by Hinduism, and today many Indians can be found obtaining PhDs or medical degrees.  Many (South Asian) Indians are entering engineering and similar high-tech professions, and American companies are gradually hiring more and more (South Asian) Indians for these jobs because of the high quality of their work and their competitive prices.  Hindus in the United States are more Republican than other immigrant groups.

Hinduism focuses on "The Eternal Way," which means that certain spiritual principles are true for eternity, transcending what is man-made.  This is like a science of consciousness.  The advancement of knowledge is emphasized by Hinduism, and today many Indians can be found obtaining PhDs or medical degrees.  Many Indians (note that the term "Indian" in this lecture refers to South Asia) are entering engineering and similar high-tech professions, and American companies are gradually hiring more and more Indians for these jobs because of the high quality of their work and their willingness to work for less wages by American standards.  Politically, Hindus in the United States are more Republican than other immigrant groups.

Hinduism encourages meditation using yoga.  Historically, Hindus believed in reincarnation, a belief that spread even to the Greek philosopher Pythagoras in 560 B.C.  Visitors to India are impressed or surprised by seeing cows wandering about, disrupting traffic and commerce.  The expression "sacred cow" comes from the belief in reincarnation, and the view that a cow may be the reincarnation of one of your ancestors or deceased relatives.

Hinduism encourages meditation using yoga.  Historically, Hindus believed in reincarnation, a belief that spread even to the Greek philosopher Pythagoras in 560 B.C.  Visitors to India are impressed or surprised by seeing cows wandering about, disrupting traffic and commerce.  The expression "sacred cow" comes from the belief in reincarnation, and the view that a cow may be the reincarnation of one of your ancestors or deceased relatives.