RELIGION

Hinduism and Buddhism had become removed from people

- Hinduism became dominated by priests
- Buddhist ideal of self-denial is difficult for many to follow
Changes in Buddhism
- Although the Buddha had forbidden people to worship him, some began to teach that he was a
god
- Some Buddhists began to believe that may people could become Buddhas (bodhisattvas)
- Bodhisattva: potential Buddha who choose to give up nirvana and work to save humanity
through good work and self-sacrifice
- The new ideas changed Buddhism from a religion that emphasized individual discipline to a
mass religion that offered salvation to all and allowed popular worship
- Mahayana Buddhism: accepted the new doctrines (bodhisattvas, etc.)
- Theravada (aka Hinayana) Buddhism: held to the Buddhas stricter, original teachings
- New trends in Buddhism inspired Indian art (statues of Buddha, stupas, cave temples)
- Stupa: mounded stone structures built over holy relics. Buddhists walked the paths circling the
stupas as a part of their meditation
- Spread of Buddhism: Asoka sent Buddhist missionaries (converted people along the way).
Monastery in China was built. From China, Buddhism reached Korea then Japan. Theravada
school was built in Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Mahayana was strong in
Japan and Korea
Changes in Hinduism
- Hinduism had developed a complex set of sacrifices that could be performed only by priests
- People who werent priests had less and less direct connection with the religion
- Many people began to believe that there was only one divine force in the universe
- Many Indians began to devote themselves to Vishnu and Shiva who were the favorites
- Hinduism evolved into a more personal religion

ARTS

Kalidasa: court poet for Chandra Gupta II; created Shakuntala

Shakuntala: play about a curse that prevented the king to recognize Shakuntala
Madurai: site of writing academies in Southern India
Drama in Southern India: troupes travelled to put on performances
Bollywood
- India has the largest movie industry in the world
- About twice as many films are released yearly
- Monsoon Weding: popular Indian film
- Satyajit Ray: Academy Award
Major Movie Producers
- India: 800-900
- US: 400-500
- Japan: 200-300
- HK: 100-200
- France: 100-200

ASTRONOMY, MATH, MEDICINE

Sailors on trading ships used the stars to help them figure their position at sea
Indians began to use a calendar based on the cycles of the sun rather than the moon and seven-
day week and divided each day into hours
 Indians proved that the earth was round by observing the lunar eclipse (earths shadow fell across
the face of the moon, it was curved)
Modern numerals, the zero, and the decimal system were invented in India
Aryabhata: pi into four decimals; length of the solar year
Two medical guides were compiled
Surgeries (esp. plastic surgery) and injections were performed

TRADE

Overland trade
- Central Asian nomads (invaders) introduced Silk Roads
- Silk Roads: route used to bring silk from China to western Asia to Rome
- Indians as middlemen: go-between of transaction (Indians buy Chinese goods and sell them to
Romans)
- Station in the Silk Road: oases (fertile desert spots)
Sea Trade
- Southern Indian traders would sail to Southeast Asia to collect spices (brought and sold to
Romans; used Roman gold coins were collected in Southern India)
- Romans: collect gold rather that spend them
- India imported African ivory and gold; exported cotton cloth
Effects
- Commerce was profitable
- Interest loans during Mauryan: 240%; during Gupta: 15-20% (sea trade was not considered
dangerous)
- Indian merchants live abroad and brought Indian culture and religions with them