Axial Age and Religions
From the beginning of the sixth century BCE to the end of the fourth century BCE, a drastic change in religious traditions occurred. This period, known as the Axial Age, brought about several new religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism. These religions, all unique in their own way, shared three general aspects of the Axial Age religious transformations. All five of these new religions believed that having strong, positive ethics and morals was very important. They also all developed a scripture along with traditional religious practices. And They all had some sort of human figures as their active leader. Of these three aspects, the ethics and morals importance stands out the most. In Hinduism the Law of Manu is used mainly as a statement of their moral and ethical ideals. Like one would expect it states that it is not allowed to murder, steal or be sexually immoral. Hinduism moral aims can be summed up as: pleasantness patience, control of mind, non-stealing, purity, control of the senses, intelligence, knowledge, truthfulness, and non-irritability. Buddhism has five basic rules of moral conduct that are to be followed. They include abstaining from killing, stealing, lying, engaging
Scripture was another aspect shared by the religions. The scripture for Zoroastrianism is the Avesta, which contains the Yasna. The Yasna is then divided into Gathas. Taoism has the Tao Tê Ching as it main book of scripture. Confucianism follows the Lun Yü (Analects), a work compiled by some of Confucius’s disciples, is considered the most reliable source of information about his life and teachings. One of the historical works that he is said to have compiled and edited, the Ch'un Ch'iu (Spring and Autumn Annals), is an annalistic account of Chinese history in the state of Lu from 722 to 481 BC. Buddha was the leader for this new religion. Buddha believed in throwing away the Vedas, the practice of sacrifice, and the caste system which were all very prominent I the religion of Hinduism which preceded it. Unfortunately neither of these two religions had much information available about their scriptures. in improper sexual conduct, and partaking of intoxicants. Buddhism also includes the Eightfold Path. This path is right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. And by following this Eightfold path, one is lead to the Four Nobel Truths: birth is painful, old age is painful, sickness is painful, and death is painful. Hinduism had three active leaders. They were the Brahman, who was the creator and the destroyer, as well as the High God. Vishnu was the preserver of love and benevolence. And Shiva, who was also a destroyer as well as the controller of fertility and the lord of the dance. Zoroastrianism taught that people are free to choose whether they will do good or evil. Because of this reason Zoroastrianism emphasized ethics more than the other religions of its time. In Zoroastrianism ethics and worship was the ability to understand the sacredness of the elements of earth, fi
Some topics in this essay:
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Nobel Truths,
Law Manu,
Bhagavad Gîtã,
Axial Age,
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Smriti Sruti,
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hinduism buddhism,
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Approximate Word count = 1277
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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