The Appeal of Buddhism - WHI

The following newspaper article was written in China during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976 CE), a time of very severe government censorship. People who criticized the government were often punished by the state. The article’s author analyzes Confucian criticism of Qin and the fall of the empire

On the question of the causes of the downfall of the Qin dynasty, the first

fallacy fabricated by the reactionary Confucian scholars was the “theory

that the Legalist line destroyed Qin.” . . .

Actually the opposite was true. Originally, Qin was a small feudal state in

the western part of China. Until the early years of the Warring States

period, it was still rather backward, and was looked upon by the various

eastern states as a “barbarian” country.

The following newspaper article was written in China during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976 CE), a time of very severe government censorship. People who criticized the government were often punished by the state. The article’s author analyzes Confucian criticism of Qin and the fall of the empire

Later, Qin . . . implemented the Legalist line and, as a consequence, rapidly became strong and prosperous. Qin Shi Huang was an outstanding statesman of the Legalist school. Within a short period of time he unified the six states and established the first centralized feudal state. . . .

However, Qin Shi Huang had one great flaw: he did not strike at the

opposition hard enough, or suppress them thoroughly.

The following newspaper article was written in China during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976 CE), a time of very severe government censorship. People who criticized the government were often punished by the state. The article’s author analyzes Confucian criticism of Qin and the fall of the empire

After the establishment of the Qin dynasty, he forcibly moved 120,000 influential and wealthy families from all parts of the country to Xiangyang, thus forcing

them to move far away from their old homes . . . But the Qin government

did not adopt effective measures for exercising dictatorship over these

reactionary slave owners.After the establishment of the Qin dynasty, he forcibly moved 120,000 influential and wealthy families from all parts of the country to Xiangyang, thus forcing them to move far away from their old homes . . . But the Qin government did not adopt effective measures for exercising dictatorship over these reactionary slave owners.

Multiple Choice

According to this document, what

caused the fall of the Qin dynasty?

• Legalist Policies

• Spent too much money on public works project

• Was not harsh enough on the opponents

• Opposition from former states

Multiple Select

What evidence supports this claim?

• Originally, Qin was a small feudal state in the western part of China. Until the early years of the Warring States period, it was still rather backward, and was looked upon by the various

  eastern states as a “barbarian” country.

• Qin Shi Huang was an outstanding statesman of the Legalist

  school. Within a short period of time he unified the six states and

  established the first centralized feudal state

• However, Qin Shi Huang had one great flaw: he did not strike at the

  opposition hard enough, or suppress them thoroughly.

• . But the Qin government

  did not adopt effective measures for exercising dictatorship over these

  reactionary slave owners.

Poll

Are you convinced by this evidence?

• Yes

• No

Poll

Do you believe that this is a reliable source?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT part of the Eightfold Path?

• Right Speech

• Right Livelihood

• Resist Evil

• Right Concentration

Multiple Select

What are the 4 of the 5 principles of peaceful coexistence?

• Refrain from taking life

• Refrain from taking that which is not given

• Refrain from gossip

• Refrain from telling lies

• Refrain from self-intoxication with drink and drugs

Multiple Select

What are the three poisons mentioned in the image?

• Moha

• Raga

• Dvesha

• Kharma

Multiple Choice

What social hierarchy did Buddhism not recognize?

• Caste

• Class

• Race

• Gender

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of vernacular in early Buddhism?

• It was a literary language of the Vedas

• It reached larger numbers of people

• It was used exclusively by monks

• It was a form of Sanskrit

Multiple Choice

What are stupas in the context of Buddhism?

• Places for meditation

• Shrines housing relics of the Buddha

• Centers for Buddhist education

• Sites for public gatherings

Multiple Choice

What were the main contributions of the Mauryan dynasty to the organization of Buddhism?

• Patronage of monasteries

• Support for monks

• Funding for dharma teachings

• Land grants for lay audience

Multiple Choice

What were the key roles of monks in the spread of Buddhism?

• They organized into monasteries

• They built temples

• They wrote scriptures

• They led military campaigns

Multiple Choice

What were the main regions where Buddhism spread after the death of Buddha?

• North and East Asia

• South America

• Africa

• Europe

Multiple Choice

What were the main factors affecting the spread of Buddhism in India?

• Brahmin opposition

• Gupta emperors' support

• Hinduism's adaptability

• Pockets of Buddhism in the northeast

Multiple Choice

What is the primary focus of Mahayana Buddhism?

• Compassion

• Meditation

• Rituals

• Monasticism

Multiple Choice

What is the primary goal of Theravada Buddhism?

• To achieve Nirvana

• To become a Buddha

• To attain enlightenment

• To spread Buddhism

Multiple Choice

Who was the most famous emperor of the Mauryan Empire?

• Chandragupta Maurya

• Ashoka

• Bindusara

• Harsha

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a major goal of meditation in Buddhism?

• To achieve wealth and prosperity

• To prepare for battle

• To attain enlightenment

• To become a skilled artisan

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of Bodhisattvas in Buddhism?

• They attain nirvana and leave the world

• They provide inspiration

• They are only found in ancient texts

• They do not teach others

Multiple Select

What are the three baskets of the Tripitaka in Buddhism?

• Vinaya

• Sutta

• Abhidhamma

• Dhammapada

Multiple Choice

What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism?

• To serve the gods

• To achieve Nirvana

• To become immortal

• To gain wealth

Multiple Choice

Which country is known as the birthplace of Buddhism?

• India

• China

• Japan

• Nepal

Multiple Choice

Where did Buddhism spread to?

• Spread to the Americas and Middle East.

• Spread to the rest of Asia

•  Spread to Africa and the Middle East

• Spread to Southeast Asia, Central Asia, China, Japan & Korea

Multiple Choice

What factors contributed to the appeal and spread of Buddhism?

• Cultural exchange

• Political support

• Economic prosperity

• Religious tolerance