Jainism In China, South Asia And Greek City-States

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Philosophers such as, Confucius, Siddhartha Gautama, Socrates and many more formulated theories that challenged and elaborated principles within China, South Asia and Greek city-states. These thinkers taught various methods to enhance, and in some cases alter the mindsets and rules of their cultures. Each of their works contributed to helping others in times of crisis and offered alternatives to traditions, which eventually changed the perspective of thoughts throughout humanity. Confucius (551-479 BCE), served in minor governmental positions in China. While in this position he became discouraged about the conditions surrounding him; division of the state and the ongoing wars. Those conditions caused Confucius to set out in search of an …show more content…

540-460 BCE) taught a concept of Jainism, that was against Brahmanism: a thought from the Brahmans which stated, “varnas and jatis (Hindu caste systems), mixing indiscriminately populated society.” The theory of Jainism was that “the universe obeys its own rules that no god or other supernatural being could affect.” (Page 170) Jainism was an ideal that became extremely difficult to follow by many workers in the South Asian community, because of its rules, which led to its transformation into a religion of city dwellers and traders. Jainism was just one belief that contradicted Brahman thinking, another concept was “Buddhism”. Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563-483 BCE), also known as Buddha “teacher”, challenged their beliefs, rituals, etc., and implemented the people of South Asia with alternatives to their traditions. Both Buddha and Mahavira spent years as ascetic wanderers to reach enlightenment. (Page 170-171) Buddha expressed his theories in the “Four Noble Truths” and “Eightfold Path”, and the practicing of both will help one attain wisdom and with this wisdom all ignorance and passion are eliminated, and the realization of Enlightenment can be achieved, which left no space for Brahmic dictation of human lives in the South Asian

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