Indian and Chinese civilizations around 500 B.C.E. were similar regarding individualism in religion and strict societal rules yet differ due to power source.
Chinese and Indian religions such as Confucianism, Daoism, and Hinduism all promoted individualism and considered afterlife. Confucianism, a Chinese based religion, stated that if a superior had a genuine concern for the inferior, the inferior would be motivated with deference and obedience. Each person would respect their superior/inferior, therefore resulting in harmonious respect for everyone. Daoists lived spontaneously and simplistically while engaging with nature. They disengaged from public life in order to find themselves within nature. Similarly, Hindus must go through a …show more content…
Qin Shihuangdi, a Chinese emperor, promoted legalism. Legalism consisted of clear rules, followed by praise and harsh punishments. “To govern the state by law is to praise the right and blame the wrong.” This cycle of chastisement and commendation left little room for corruption. Chinese citizens obeyed the laws of legalism, which eventually ended in a reunified China. Likewise, the caste system separated groups of people into socioeconomic categories. The upper class did not have to perform unclean tasks. The Sudras, the lowest class, did. In addition, lower classes received no rights in society. This relates directly to the feudalist society that China embraced. A Chinese emperor owns the land, and distributes land for a trade from the lords and lower classes. In both cases, lower classes have less rights. Although the caste system does not communicate with the Sudras, both feudalism and the caste system recognize a social …show more content…
In India, the caste system was the platform for social structure. The caste system placed individuals in social and economic groupings, and required that they follow and work certain tasks designated to the respective caste. One was to obey the rules of their caste, and if not, they should be punished. Due to the diversity of India, one’s duty is to their caste, not the emperor or ruler. On the other hand, China ruled with consolidated power. Each dynasty possessed an emperor who ruled superior to the citizens; China lived in a feudalist society. For example, Qin Shihuangdi of the Qin Dynasty attempted to reunify China by using legalism. “To govern the state by law is to praise the right and blame the wrong.” This shows that citizens followed strict rules put in place by the Emperor, therefore showing superiority. Overall, Indian citizens obeyed and worked for their respective caste, not the ruler, whereas Chinese emperors dominated over civilians and expressed
Chinese and Indian religions such as Confucianism, Daoism, and Hinduism all promoted individualism and considered afterlife. Confucianism, a Chinese based religion, stated that if a superior had a genuine concern for the inferior, the inferior would be motivated with deference and obedience. Each person would respect their superior/inferior, therefore resulting in harmonious respect for everyone. Daoists lived spontaneously and simplistically while engaging with nature. They disengaged from public life in order to find themselves within nature. Similarly, Hindus must go through a …show more content…
Qin Shihuangdi, a Chinese emperor, promoted legalism. Legalism consisted of clear rules, followed by praise and harsh punishments. “To govern the state by law is to praise the right and blame the wrong.” This cycle of chastisement and commendation left little room for corruption. Chinese citizens obeyed the laws of legalism, which eventually ended in a reunified China. Likewise, the caste system separated groups of people into socioeconomic categories. The upper class did not have to perform unclean tasks. The Sudras, the lowest class, did. In addition, lower classes received no rights in society. This relates directly to the feudalist society that China embraced. A Chinese emperor owns the land, and distributes land for a trade from the lords and lower classes. In both cases, lower classes have less rights. Although the caste system does not communicate with the Sudras, both feudalism and the caste system recognize a social …show more content…
In India, the caste system was the platform for social structure. The caste system placed individuals in social and economic groupings, and required that they follow and work certain tasks designated to the respective caste. One was to obey the rules of their caste, and if not, they should be punished. Due to the diversity of India, one’s duty is to their caste, not the emperor or ruler. On the other hand, China ruled with consolidated power. Each dynasty possessed an emperor who ruled superior to the citizens; China lived in a feudalist society. For example, Qin Shihuangdi of the Qin Dynasty attempted to reunify China by using legalism. “To govern the state by law is to praise the right and blame the wrong.” This shows that citizens followed strict rules put in place by the Emperor, therefore showing superiority. Overall, Indian citizens obeyed and worked for their respective caste, not the ruler, whereas Chinese emperors dominated over civilians and expressed