Bhagavad Gita!

According to the Bhagavad Gita, the Caste systems flow smoothly in a certain path for each individual. For example, in the passage, it states, "As a man, casting off old clothes, puts on others and new ones" (The Bhagavad Gita). Anyway, between the teachings of Zarathustra and Confucius, there are various connections that can be made. In the teachings of Zarathustra and the Bhagavad Gita, there is the mention of a soul which is the connection of similarity between them. However, the difference is that in the Bhagavad Gita's teachings, everyone has to be detached from their desires such as winning, while in Zarathustra's teachings, people can enjoy life, but only in moderation. Also, in Zarathustra's teachings, there is a needing to save the soul, whereas in the Bhagavad Gita, it says that all souls of people are reincarnated into something different. With Confucianism and Bhagavad Gita, the connections are that they both believe in a certain way to live life effectively ("The Way" with Confucianism, while "Detachment" with Bhagavad Gita).  They contrast by exactly what people do to live their lives; Confucianism involved avoiding both religion and metaphysics, while the Bhagavad Gita greatly had to do with religion as its core element.

The Indian Invention of Arabic Numerals!

The Indian invention of Arabic numerals are so important because they changed how societies around the world thought and lead to different possibilities of creativity. These Arabic numerals are basically the root or standard for the rest of the world and they're efficient and easy to use because of their simplicity. Also, not only did mathematics in general develop greatly, but other fields involving math like astronomy were also improved.

Map of China

Ideas To Prevent Destruction: The Han Empire

Throughout the history of Han empire, there were many problems that completely destroyed it from the inside out. For example, there was the problem of land distribution, the rich were not helping the peasants, and rebellion/banditry was happening everywhere. Even after the era of Wang Mang, the newly established Han empire still followed the same pattern of destruction. If I was in Wang Mang or Han Wudi's shoes, I would come up with various ways to protect the interests of the emperor and the empire as a whole. For the problem of land distribution, I would cut the amount of taxes inflicted upon the peasants and give them money to pay off their debts. After this, I would implement various laws that reduced the power of the wealthy and helped the people in need (peasants). Such laws would include things like abolishing slavery, equal land distribution, and equal rights. As for the issue of rebellion/banditry, these problems would slowly vanquish as stability would overcome the empire. If such problems didn't cease, I would simply call for a meeting with the high class ministers to discuss each major problem, and then go on from there to solving them. Finally, the worst trend in all of these empires has been the greed and selfishness of the emperor and their families. If they gave some kind of respect or helping hand towards their people, then various emperors would've lived longer and more happily. Also, each new empire or dynasty that forms does the exact same thing as the previous, which doesn't promote any advancement in society or life in general. The Han empire collapsed because of it's inability to protect its people and if my ideas were considered, then such ruthless rebellions and destruction of lives would've never happened.

Daoism Is...?

After the reading of various Daoist writings, I believe the true meaning of Daoism is that all humans should be simple in their daily lives and respect the world (nature) around them.

Confucianism

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

- I believe that Confucianism is not a standard religion. It's not a religion because it's only made up of ideals and beliefs, things that all religions imply in their own way. In Confucianism, it only tells people what Confucius believed from his life and experiences. These ideals and beliefs are just opinion based and they deal with life of ordinary people in societies.

2) Does this reading support the idea that people are born good/bad/neutral? Refer to three examples (using the book, section and line number as the citations) that support your point of view.

- This reading does support the idea that people are born, bad, and even neutral. However, even though some types of people are born in a certain way, outside influences can affect the development of a person. For example, Confucius talks about society and oppression. He writes, "Advance the upright and set aside the crooked, then the people will submit. Advance the crooked and set aside the upright, then the people will not submit" (Book II: Chapter XIX, Confucius). When talking about the different types of people in the world, whether they are good, bad, or neutral, Confucius always talked in a positive way, he always thought of the best circumstances. For example, he says, "I will not be afflicted at men's not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I do not know men" (Book I: Chapter XVI, Confucius). Since Confucius believed in a positive, good way, the teachings he brought to his people were long-lasting into the future. One of the most important teachings of Confucius had to do with the appearance and knowledge of people. He says, "Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue" (Book I: Chapter III, Confucius). Overall, Confucius taught to the people, (good, neutral, or bad) that anyone can change, it's just how much devotion and effort they put in.    

Maps of Persia

Passage Response: Zarathustra on Good and Evil

Zarathustra makes the assumptions that human nature and the capacity of humans to make good choices are all linked together. He talks about how Ahura Mazda will shower you with praise and righteousness, but Angra Mainyu will take your soul and corrupt you forever. The passage states, "These are the Good and the Evil, in thought, and in word, and in deed" (Irani). Zarathustra is also saying that humans will naturally do the right thing because of the certain rewards that will be offered to them, such as going to paradise. He believes that people will error in their ways when the evil spirit of Angra Mainyu brings destruction. Overall, Zarathustra believed that doing the right things in life is the best path to follow because it benefits all humans and influences good morals that are passed down in younger generations.

Copy of Peer Response

Hello, this is Prateek. Manas's skull was on Mesopotamia. Okay, so there are two things that I liked about Manas's project. One thing I liked was the fact that he made all his pictures very neat. I also liked how each internal and external picture was placed next to each other to make clearer distinctions. Two ways that Manas could have improved in was trying to find deeper connections in his region. Also, maybe elaborating a little more on some of the drawings. So, a similarity between ours would be the fact that we drew each internal/external picture in a way that made it easier for readers to quickly understand. A difference between ours would be that mine is a little more detailed as it shows more of what's happening in each picture. One last thing, I was wondering why you didn't fully write out all the information that should have been in the key? Overall, I believe that you did a great job, Manas, and I hope you continue writing good works of art later on.

History Skull Project

 

This is the History Skull Project!
The other people in my group were: Hammad Sadiq, Harsha Chittoor, and Jay Patel.
Latin America is the region that my group was assigned to.

Theme #1 - In this picture, it's talking about agriculture for the Olmec people. In the skull, the picture shows a man working on his field. Outside the skull, the picture shows people looking at villages prospering because of the surplus of food from agriculture. I made this choice because it shows the true meaning of how early people in Latin America lived and thrived. I believe this picture best represents the life of the average human in Latin America because foraging became hard from the lack of certain animals such as cows and chickens, so agriculture became the better method of food supply.

Theme #2 - In this picture, it's talking about the development of architecture in Latin America. In the skull, the picture shows laborers carrying large blocks down from a pyramid and this shows how they made such great architectural achievements. Outside the skull, the picture shows a ruler who is making the laborers build a head statue. I made this choice because it shows how elites had so much power and they could get anything they wanted. The picture best represents the life of the average humans in Latin America because it gives a vivid image of how life was back then.

Theme #3 - In this picture, it's talking about conflict that rose between different people in Latin America. In the skull, the picture shows a man from another village plotting to attack the king of another. Outside the skull, the picture shows the outsiders killing a king from another village. I made this choice because it shows how disputes between different peoples led to wars and conquering of other villages. The picture best represents how people solved their problems and gained knowledge.

Theme #4 - In this picture, it's talking about trading of people in Latin America. In the skull, the picture shows workers using obsidian and jade into making various things such as jewelry and sharp objects. Outside the skull, the picture shows two people from different places in Latin America trading goods that they each don't naturally have. I made this choice because it shows how different people interacted with others and how relationships were formed. The picture best represents the life of the average humans in Latin America because they were living by what they had and they rest of the world didn't know about the Americas until much later on.

Theme #5 - In this picture, it's talking about social classes in the Olmec society. In the skull, the picture shows laborers building a giant head for the elite. Outside the skull, the picture shows laborers bowing to the king's every whim. I made this choice because it shows how society was similar to other societies across the world and the unfairness of the social classes. I believe this picture best represents the life of the average humans in Latin America because there wasn't much option for laborers and people of lower classes than to serve the elites.