What were some of the new religions gaining a foothold in southern Asia in the late seventh and early sixth century B.C.E.? What was the basis of their philosophies and why were these religions popular?
What will be an ideal response?
A. Zoroastrianism
1. assumed that conflicting forces of good and evil shaped the world
2. dualist philosophy where conflict existed between opposing principles of good and evil
a. Ahura Mazda represented the good and light
b. Ahriman was the god of evil and darkness
3. represented mainstream thinking in Iran for 1,000 years and penetrated other Eurasian religions
B. Jainism
1. way of life designed to free the soul from evil
2. belief in chastity, detachment, truth, selflessness, and charity
3. should accept only what is freely given, preferring starvation to ungenerous life
4. had followers but very demanding
a. could only be practiced with full rigor in monasteries and religious communities
b. no following outside India
C. Buddhism
1. prescribed practices that would liberate devotees from the troubles of this world
2. combination of meditation, prayer, and unselfish behavior, of varying intensity for different individuals according to their vocations in life, could achieve happiness
3. provided an escape from desire which causes unhappiness
4. the aim was the ultimate extinction of all sense of self in a mystical state, called nirvana
5. had the potential for universal appeal
a. devotees gathered in monasteries to help guide each other
b. individuals in everyday occupations could also achieve enlightenment, which helped its popularity
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What will be an ideal response?