Ashokavadana pg. 223

Answer:

This story from the Ashokavadana may have appealed to various groups of early Buddhists because it portrayed every human being as equal no matter what caste they were in. Since King Ashoka bowed at the Buddhist monks' feet, he showed that they had the same amount of reverence as he did. Coming from all different areas of the caste system, it was important for early Buddhists to be taught equality. This selection, in promoting this principle, would then definitely attract many of the religion's followers. The passage also ensures that they have the support of the leader; adhering to the religion is much easier without the threat of religious persecution from the government. In addition, Buddhist monks would favor such a story because Ashoka explained how one cannot be focused solely on superiority. They have to see everyone in the same light and not act arrogantly towards others. In this way, the lower classes that made up the group of monks would be treated similarly to those with more power and wealth.

Map of China: Qin and Han Dynasties

Differences between Indian and Chinese Dynasties

There were definitely differences between the Chinese and Indian dynasties especially in regards to their political systems. Despite the fact that both developed centralized bureaucracies, China's was more large-scale while India's was more tightly organized. Also, China's rulers entrusted the communication and implementation of their policies to officers in the court. India, mainly the Gupta Dynasty, had their allies enforce the principles of the government. This leads to separations of the kingdom as well as a less strict enforcement of the rules. During the Chinese dynasties, imperial rule was much more successful than it was throughout the Indian dynasties. In addition, India became regional kingdoms more than they became centralized empires like China and even Persia. Other than the dissimilarities in governmental systems, China and India also differed in social order. India created a much more advanced caste system than China in that it developed to even include subgroups called jati. Despite these differences, similarities did exist between these two societies' dynasties.

Mencius and Xun Zi Beliefs on Human Nature

Mencius believes that all men are born with four principles that are associated with goodness. These are benevolence, or kindness, righteousness, propriety, or appropriate behavior, and knowledge. They must develop these standards of correct moral conduct and then they will be better servants of the kingdom. However, if they do not allow them to grow and evolve, the result is an inability to serve properly. His other belief is that every man does not want suffering for others. According to these thoughts, Mencius feels everyone has good in them. He also points out that the early leaders who understood these ideas and utilized them ran a very smooth government. In addition, Mencius indicates that a government without any harsh implications will satisfy their own people as well as gain the respect from neighbors.

Xun Zi believes that human nature is bad and good is a human product. He feels that the man is born with desires and if adhered to, will result in turmoil, violence, and inappropriate behavior. In order to become good, one must be educated by teachers and other good gentleman. They must also learn rituals and moral principles and follow laws and limitations. He keeps referencing, similar to Mencius, how in ancient times the kings knew that man was naturally bad and needed these things to be good. Therefore, order was established and things were peaceful. Xun Zi also adds that influence impacts all people, meaning that listening to bad people will lead to engaging in wrong behavior. However, if one follows those who are good, then they will in turn act properly.

I do not fully line up with either of these two opinions. I believe we are born with the free will to chose between good and evil. We are not automatically born good or born bad. Based on the formation of our conscience and the maturity of our moral standards as we grow up, we can then decide which path to pursue. We always have the free ability to change the choice we make. If there is one that I somewhat agree with, it would be Xun Zi's belief. Even though I do not believe that we are born bad, I agree with his idea that with correct education about morals, we can become good people.

Answers to Questions on Confucian Analects

Is this a religion or not? Why do you think so?

This is not a religion because according to the definition of religion, it is a belief in a divine power. In Confucianism, no such belief exists. It is more of a philosophy that tries to explain moral standards and how the government should behave. Even though it has followers and a few components that could make it a religion, it does not have the key idea that sets it apart from a school of thought and puts it into the realms of religion.

Does this reading support the idea that people are born good/bad/neutral? Cite three examples that support your point of view.

The reading suggests that people are born neutral and then either become good or bad depending upon their experiences and family generations before. For example, a man should observe his father's behavior and after the father dies, if he "...does not alter from the way of his father, he may be called filial" (7). The man will learn from the actions of his parents and then follow their morals, thus having a part in the decision of being good or bad. Also, when one is treated with correct moral standards and "...led by virtue..." (10), "...they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good" (10). One becomes good as well based on the altercations with others (their experiences). A person will act based on how others behave towards them, and this could lead to either good or bad behavior. He or she, if "...respect is shown according to what is proper..." (8), "...keeps far from shame and disgrace" (8). When a man is born, he or she starts with a clean slate, and then as experiences and family influences occur, the person becomes morally good or morally bad.

Map of Persian Empire

Answer to Question Pg. 176

Primary Source Text: Zarathustra on Good and Evil

What assumptions does Zarathustra make about human nature and the capacity of human beings to make morally good choices out of their own free will?

Zarathustra assumes that all human beings have the ability to make morally good choices out of their own free will.  However, in truth, some do not always choose this way.  He feels this occurs because of human nature's constant struggle within oneself to make the right choices all the time.  In order to ensure this happens, one must feed oneself with goodness.  Perfoming righteous deeds is one way in which human beings can do this.

Part 2 of History Head Project: Comments

Hey Lynn,

I liked how you drew all your images.  They really came out nice and definitely added a lot of creativity to your project. All the pictures were a perfect size and could be easily seen.  The writing for both the key and the timeline, on the other hand, could have been a little bit larger.  You have to get pretty close in order to read them.  Both of our societies, mine was India, had patriarchal societies and a leader to run the society or kingdoms of the society.  However, there were differences between our two societies.  Unlike the Mesoamerican king who had servants and seemed to have more control, the Indian tribal chief had advisers and much less power.  I’m just wondering why you chose to put the calendar as part of the first theme, interaction between humans and environment?  It seems more fitting for the second theme, which incorporates science and technology.

-Mark Whitney

 

Hey Holly,
 

The idea of constructing the caste system yourself was very creative.  I also liked how you showed the nomadic tribes that influenced ancient China.  Some of the images were unclear though, and it was difficult to figure out what they represented.  You could try getting clearer pictures or drawing them in yourself next time.  I did my history head on India and it also had a caste system that they had to follow.  However, China’s had more distinctions; India only had four.  I also noticed something different between the societies.  Even though both were influenced by outside tribes, unlike yours, which used them to assist in trade, India interacted with them more culturally and adopted some of their religious beliefs.  I just was not sure what theme the picture outside the head on the bottom right and the one inside all the way to the right depicted?
 

-Mark Whitney  

 

Five Themes Project

Thoughts on Essay and Test

      The test and the essay on the specifc chapters from the textbook were both challenging assessments.  In regards to the test, time was not a problem and some of the questions were straightforward and relatively easy to answer.  However, there were others that were more diffcult and required a longer time to think about.  I felt that I did much better on the test in comparison to the essay.  For the essay, time became an issue.  By the time I understood and decided where I was going with the prompt, I had left myself with too little room to write the complete essay I planned on writing.  On the test, I felt I gave myself the best opportunity to do well since I had enough time to go through and answer each question.  On the other hand, the essay was not as complete as it should have been.
     I definitely felt relieved after completing both assessments.  I feel glad that we are done with the first two major assignments of the year and I like that it prepares us for the rest of them.  For my next essay, I have to organize my thoughts quicker and establish my outline fast enough to allow myself enough time to put together quality writing.  On all upcoming tests, I will review and study for as long as I can before the day of the assessment.  This means that the day we are informed about our next test is the day in which I begin to look over my previous notes.  Thus, I can pace myself so on the night before, I can just tie everything I studied back together in one final review.  As for these first assignments, I believed I was prepared.  I read and took notes on all six chapters.  As a result, I was able to go back and review my notes when it came time for studying.  The notes definitely helped in organizing the load of information from each chapter.  Both assignments were difficult, but in the end, I feel the test was a little bit easier than the essay.