Achieving Peace In The Axial Age

Mikayla Katz

Axial Age Essay

11/17/14

The axial age was a time of great change for the human race it took place in the years 500 to 700 BCE. It was a time of transition after much conflict in the human race; with conflict comes resolution. But resolution does not come overnight. The axial age was the time for human Philosophers such as Amos, Buddha, and Laozi answered many of lifes larger questions, for example; What happens when we die? How can we achieve peace? What principles or institutions should guide our lives? Amos was a hebrew prophet who questioned the israelites devotion to their religion, Buddha was an Indian prince who tried to answer life's questions, and Laozi was a chinese philosopher from the Tao Te dynasty who founded daoism. The three religions and

In ancient civilization, Buddhism, Judaism, and Daoism all instituted principles to guide people’s lives by enforcing moral decisions, cutting out desire and materialism, and bringing equality to the class system.

Morality was a major concept in showing people how to live their lives in Buddhism, Daoism, and Judaism because with morality comes an end to violence. The later of Buddha’s life was devoted to finding peace. Buddha found a way to achieve peace and wanted to share with people how he did so. He created the eightfold path. Which is a list of guidelines for followers of Buddhism to obey. Each item on the list began with the word “right” referring to the correct action Buddha thought you had to do to reach nirvana. Nirvana is buddhists way of achieving peace. One example from the eightfold path is “Right livelihood means making your living in such a way as to avoid dishonesty and hurting others, including animals.” There are clear right and wrong actions