HIST 135 Eastern Civilization
Exam I Review
Historical Periods:
Indus River Valley civilizations (Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro)
Vedic Period (Aryan, Dasa)
Maurya Dynasty (Chandragupta, Ashoka)
Shunga/Early Andhra Period (stupas, cave monasteries)
Kushan/Late Andhra Period (Kanishka, the Silk Road, Greco-Roman images of the Buddha))
Gupta Dynasty (meditative images of the Buddha)
Medieval Period (decline of Buddhism [generally], absorption in Hinduism)
Muslim Conquests
Mughal Empire (Babur, Akbar, Shah Jahan, Auranzgeb)
Hinduism:
Indra
Agni
Soma
Vedas
Upanishads
Samsara
Karma
Moksha
Brahman-Atman
Darsan
Dharma
Churning of the Ocean (creation myth)
Caste/Varna/Jati
Trimurti
Shakti
Mudra
Bhakti yoga
Karma yoga
Bhakti movement
Literary / Visual / Performing Arts:
Ramayana
Mahabharata
Bhagavad-Gita
Devotional poetry
Hindu / Buddhist sculptural conventions
Hindu temple architecture and symbolism
Bharata Natyam
Principles of classical Indian instruments and music
Buddhism:
Siddhartha Gautama
Buddha
Chaitya hall
Vihara
Four Noble Truths
Three Marks of Existence (esp. anatta)
Dana
Tipitaka
Theravada Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism
Bodhisattva
Nirvana
Essay Question Pool
1. Define the word darsan and explain how the experience of darsan is central to the Hindu perception of a) creation, b) the sacred/holy image, and c) other human beings.
2. In what ways can Hinduism be described as an ongoing creative tension between "world affirmation" and "world renunciation?" How and why are both present? What examples of this tension can you provide from Hindu literature, thought and practice?
3. What is "Bhakti Yoga?" Explain its devotional characteristics, as well as how the fine arts function as a vehicle for carrying out "bhakti."
4. Compare and contrast the Mahayana and the Theravada traditions of Buddhism. Provide at least three examples of characteristics that distinguish one from the other. When and why did the division occur?
5. Outline and explain the development of Buddhist devotional images. What kinds of changes did they go through? What events and cultures influenced their stylistic development?