Chapter 5-Tradition

Ever wondered where we got out ideas from to form tour worldwide traditions? Or who or what thought of them? What about where they originated? Well in Chapter 5 in, Ways of the World, I learned a small seed of the history of our historical traditions. In 500 B.C.E.- 500 C.E., China, India, Middle East, and Greece were the major countries that practiced certain traditions that we still follow today. There is a vast difference from China and Greek. China wanted to understand reality and the philosophy; whereas, India, Persia, and the Jews focused more on the meaning of religion. Our traditions all began in a time called, “Age of Warring state,” when civilizations fell apart, and people desperately started searching for answers in the years 403-221 B.C.E. The two countries I will be discussing will be China and India because they are religions I have always been interested in how they were created.

            The first step to become organized was the development of Legalism. It is a set of rules and laws carried out in rewards and punishments. Confucius, a man/ culture in Korea and Japan formed throughout this system. He believed that the superior such as the government authorities had dominance over the inferior. If the people followed this example they created harmony, which they believed was the answer in the chaos that was present. It was a way of creating a “good” society. Daoism focused more on the natural and individualistic perspectives in the society. “Dao” means the way of nature. They believed in withdrawal from political and social engagement in order to be aligned in a self-sufficient community. Since they did not indulge themselves with improvement, they were very small communities and lacked education causing them to have no hope of improvement. In my opinion if I had to pick one these ways of living, I would follow Confucius because they were more efficient in responsibilities.

            In India, they practiced Hinduism that directed their attention on spirituality, religion, and sacrifices. They believed they came from nothing, that there was no proof of their coming together to create existence. Their belief caused them to believe in reincarnation or samsara, which they thought was the law of karma. Another practice that India followed was Buddhism. The historical founder of this religion was Siddhartha Gautama. He came from a family that he left to go t the wilderness to have solitary and live out in meditation. While he was out in the wilderness he attempted to achieve enlightenment, this was the focus on their lives. They believed in one taking care of one’s own life-responsible for yourself. The language they spoke,” Pali” was accessible for everyone because it consisted of characters and images rather than script. Men had the dominance over women; however, Buddhists respected them more than other faiths so most women joined in their cult. Eventually the women became nuns to the men who were monks. The growing population of the nuns and monks became so large that they formed a new religion in themselves called, Theravada. Also, another believe was created called, Mahayana, which meant “Great Vehicle.” They called it Mahayana because it was easier for people to join because it traveled often.