Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings (Cultural Developments) (c. 600 BCE-600 CE)

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The mid-first millennium BCE is considered a turning point in world history as it saw the emergence of great thinkers across civilizations: Zarathustra in Iran, Kong Zi (Confucius) in China, Socrates,…

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Tipitaka literally means 'three baskets' and refers to the compilation of Buddha's teachings organized into three categories: 1) Vinaya Pitaka - rules and regulations for the sangha (monastic order), …

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Ajivikas were described as fatalists who believed everything was predetermined - that pleasure and pain were measured out and could not be altered through virtue or penance. Lokayatas were described a…

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The five vows (pancha-vratas) taken by Jaina monks and nuns were: 1) Ahimsa - abstain from killing/non-violence, 2) Asteya - abstain from stealing, 3) Satya - abstain from lying, 4) Brahmacharya - obs…

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Jainism's central philosophy is that the entire world is animated - even stones, rocks, and water have life. Non-injury (ahimsa) to all living beings, especially humans, animals, plants, and insects, …

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According to Buddhist philosophy: 1) The world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing, 2) It is soulless (anatta) as nothing is permanent or eternal, 3) Sorrow (dukkha) is intrinsic to human ex…

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The sangha was an organization of Buddhist monks (bhikkhus) and later nuns (bhikkhunis) who became teachers of dhamma. Initially only men were allowed, but women were later admitted through Ananda's m…

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Chaitya originally referred to sacred places with special trees, unique rocks, or natural beauty, sometimes with small shrines. The term may derive from 'chita' (funeral pyre). Stupa means 'heap' - a …