China's most famous philosopher

“Old Master” in the Chinese language. He was appointed a historian in one of the Zhou dynasty courts and developed a philosophy of inner calm, purity of mind, and living in harmony with nature that is called Dao, or the way of the universe

the art of producing beautiful handwriting

proclaimed himself “First Emperor.” of China. Using spies, loyal generals, and bribery, he created a unified China under his authoritarian rule. His empire collapsed four years after his death.

He succeeded in expanding the Han empire, though it came at a high cost to his soldiers and people and made Confucianism the state religion.

government officials

in Hindu belief, the rebirth of the soul in another bodily form.

in Hindu belief, all the actions that determine a person’s fate in the next life.

in Hindu belief, the religious and moral duties of an individual

in Hindu belief, an unchangeable social group into which a person is born

born a prince in India who sought answers from scholars and meditated until he developed a spiritual explanation for suffering and life. He became known as the “Buddha,” and began teaching his beliefs to others.

as taught by the Buddha, the four basic beliefs that form the foundation of Buddhism

as taught by the Buddha, the path one must follow to achieve nirvana

in Buddhist belief, union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth

seasonal wind that regularly blows from a certain direction for part of the year

a collection of prayers, hymns, and other religious teachings developed in ancient India beginning around 1500 B.C.

in ancient India, the elected warrior chief of an Aryan tribe

the last major Mauryan emperor in India whose rule was characterized by fairness, compassion, and the principles of right life, which he had inscribed on stone pillars erected throughout the empire.

in some societies, payment a bride’s family makes to the bridegroom and his family; payment a woman brings to a marriage