Buddhism ap world history definition
The Emergence of Buddhism
AP World History Chapter 8 Flashcards
key term - Buddhism
Definition
Buddhism is a spiritual and philosophical tradition founded in the 5th to 4th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. It focuses on the path to enlightenment through practices like meditation, ethical living, and the sympathy of suffering, and it played a significant role in shaping cultural exchanges and trade dynamics across various regions.
5 Must Recognize Facts For Your Next Test
- Buddhism spread along trade routes, particularly the Silk Roads, as merchants and travelers carried its teachings to new regions.
- The major branches of Buddhism include Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, each with its own interpretations and practices.
- Buddhism encourages the practice of mindfulness and meditation as key methods for achieving personal insight and kind suffering.
- Buddhism adapted to various cultures as it spread, leading to unique local forms such as Zen in Japan and Tibetan Buddhism.
- Buddhist monasteries became centers of learning and cultural exchange, significantly influencing art, literature, and philosophy across Asia.
Review Questions
- How did Buddhism influence cultural exchanges along trade routes like
The Branches of Buddhism for AP World History
A study of the branches of Buddhism is an illustrative example of the Developments in East Asia from 1200 to 1450 topic in Unit 1 of AP World History. You could reference this example on your AP World History test.
The different branches of Buddhism, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan (a form of Vajrayana), each offer unique approaches and practices that cater to diverse spiritual needs. Here’s a deeper look into these three major types:
Theravada Buddhism
Theravada, known as “the Teaching of the Elders,” is the oldest surviving Buddhist branch and is considered to be closest to the first teachings of the Buddha. Predominant in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, Theravada focuses on the Pali Canon as its primary scripture, which is believed to be the most accurate record of the historical Buddha’s teachings.
Theravada emphasizes individual enlightenment and the path of the arhat, a person who has achieved enlightenment and is no longer bound by the cycle of birth and rebirth. The practice is heavily centered around meditation and moral conduct as means to develop insight and unders
Vocabulary #1 - AP World History: Modern Flashcards
14720831635 Ancestor veneration Ritual practice based on the belief that deceased family members have a continued existence, take an interest in the affairs of the planet, and possess the ability to influence the fortune of the living. The goal is to ensure the dead's continued well-being and positive disposition towards the living and sometimes to demand for special favors or assistance. The social or nonreligious function of it is "to cultivate kinship values like filial piety, family loyalty, and continuity of the family lineage. 0 14720831636 Champa rice Quick-maturing, drought resistant rice that can enable two harvests of sixty days each in one growing season. Originally introduced from Vietnam it was later sent to China as a tribute gift. 1 14720831640 Mandate of Heaven The Chinese concept that the deity granted a dynasty the right to rule and took away that right if the dynasty did not rule wisely. 2 14720831642 Bureaucracy A group of government officials headed by an administrator. 3 14720831644 Delhi Sultanates Muslim dynasties that existed between the 13th and 16th centuries. The area was