Human Diversity In South Asia Essay

Superior Essays
The major cultural elements that contributed to the human diversity of South Asia are the two main religions in the region. These religions are Hinduism and Buddhism. Both are similar but have differences that make up the diversity in South Asia. Hinduism is mainly in India; which includes worship of many gods related to varied historic experiences and is associated with a caste order. A caste order is a social class system based on supremacy of people. The top of the caste order are the priest, next the warriors and rulers, then the commoner merchants and artisans; outside divisions; lowest caste, servants and outcasts labeled “untouchables”. This religion believes that everyone is to carry out their own moral duties. They also believe …show more content…
Buddhism’s truly want to reach a total state of Nirvana. Nirvana is a state of insight, calmness, and joy. Buddhist believe that material things are not what brings happiness and Buddhism does not believe in the caste order more believing in a dharma policy. The dharma policy focuses on social responsibility, human dignity and socioreligious harmony. Buddhism developed as a rejection of the created caste system sanctioned by Hinduism. Buddhism believes work diligently, think clearly, show compassion to all living things and by following this you will be free from endless reincarnation. Structured rule rose from challenging of social structures and the clash and confusion that followed the growth of new religions. These structured rules led to the founding of state systems and the development of immense …show more content…
Rahmani, Munir Ishrat . "South Asia under British Rule" SA Global Affairs Vol. cover stories. (May 2011) 03Sep2015 < http://www.saglobalaffairs.com/back-issues/889-south-asia-under-british-rule.html>.
Ushistory.org. "South Asia: India and Beyond" Ancient Civilizations Online Textbook 03Sep2015 <

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    People of the lower classes were known throughout the eras of historical time as slaves and people of misery. Buddhism appealed to them as a message to leave their suffering and have peaceful and meaningful lives. People believed that the consistent practice of Buddhism promised them eventual Nirvana…

    • 664 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The idea of Nirvana also ties in with the Hindu’s belief of reincarnation. Achieving Nirvana releases a person from the cycle of reincarnation. The philosophy brought a sense of unity to its followers and a sense of hope of a life without pain.…

    • 664 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Ancient India would sell gold to West Asia and soon followed with glass and wool. China would trade silk and pottery. India would also trade medicine, pearls, and spice, such as cinnamon and peppers to West Asia. Trade made Ancient India a very wealthy country, but due to the location of the trades, North India was always more wealthy than the South. Trade by ship was soon incorporated and they began trading donkey and camels safely across the land.…

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Andrew Roberts summarizes the British imperialism in India as a positive impact since it led to the technological development of the sub-continent. The European prejudices are deeply embedded in the quote stated by Andrew Roberts. He suggests that Britain was a benevolent colonial power since it led to the “modernization’’ and “development’’ of India. The author showcases strong support towards the British imperialist policies disapproving the Indian perspective. The exchange of goods and ideas(globalization) between the two countries certainly did result in the establishment of the railroad and improved sanitation in India.…

    • 362 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Why Did Buddhism Spread

    • 1057 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Buddhism began in India and spread rapidly throughout South Asia, and was eventually able to begin spreading beyond South Asia. Over time, South Asians absorbed many thoughts as well as traditions of outside influences which they applied to their religion, Buddhism and this allowed Buddhism to further develop, more so than ever before. Buddhists mainly stressed the sufferings involved in life and a desire to end these sufferings and to eventually achieve nirvana, which was a state of happiness and peace, where one was released from the effects of karma and rebirth. Nirvana was considered the final goal of the Buddhists.…

    • 1057 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    1 Imperialism: this one word is used to represent a complicated concept. Imperialism is defined by Dictionary.com as “the extension of an empire over a nation”, essentially one nation taking over another and proceeding to control it. Imperialism has been evident throughout history, and one of the most prominent examples is the British takeover of India. Indian civilization dates back more than five-thousand years (Culture Grams Online Addition Web) and has a history of oligarchies, split kingdoms, and rebellions. This fragmented state was how British traders found India upon their arrival in 1601.…

    • 1209 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Buddhist teachings can be defined as principles which govern the way a buddhist thinks, acts and behaves. They are teachings provided by the Buddha also known as Dhamma which have had an immense impact on the lives of adherents and the community itself called the Sangha. Buddhist teachings and worship along with the Buddha himself and the Sangha combine to produce the three jewels which is centered around an Buddhist. It is important to note that to become a buddhist, one must take refuge in these three jewels - usually in front of a monk. In living these three jewels, a Buddhist is able to remove one’s self from dukkha through the eightfold path and be one step closer to reaching, not producing, nirvana.…

    • 1150 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Did you know South High has a very diverse population?. In addition, south is very different from other school, which makes south unique. There are varieties of reasons why south is unique, for example, people from all around the world is gathered in south. Each individual has different background, beliefs, and cultures. But right now south is facing a problem with education, such as college readiness, drugs addiction, creating classes which involve real jobs, and involving students in taking AP classes.…

    • 601 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hindu Caste System

    • 948 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The way a society organizes itself socially influences its entire being. Social structure is an essential component to every civilization and must be considered in order to gain a clear view of politics, economics, and religion. The Hindu in India enforced a strict caste system, in which everyone had their place. Similarly, medieval Europe utilized feudalism. But, not all societies had rigid social structures.…

    • 948 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Bioethics In Buddhism

    • 1512 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The worship and teachings of Buddhism has had a significant impact on individuals and the wider Buddhist community. Buddhism claims to be a way of life that avoids the extremes of denial and indulgence and proposes a middle way. This is a key tenet that all adherents must follow, in order to achieve nirvana, the ultimate goal for all Buddhists. Subsequently, there are many teachings and practices which guide Buddhist followers on how to live a life in attaining nirvana, that affect people individually and society as a whole. The significant practice of Temple Puja and the teachings by the Buddhist texts, principles, the XIVth Dalai Lama and the Buddha himself, guide and outline adherents on issues that may impact upon their path of enlightenment…

    • 1512 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Buddha's Eightfold Path

    • 957 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Buddhism is a way of life of peace, loving, kindness, and wisdom. Buddha Shakyamuni, the founder, lived and taught in India. Ever since two and a half thousand years ago, millions of people followed his pure spiritual path. Buddha taught people how to find enlightenment for themselves. An educated being sees the nature of reality completely and totally clearly, just as it is, and lives fully and naturally obeying that vision.…

    • 957 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hinduism Essay

    • 1242 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hinduism is most likely the oldest and most complex religion in the entire world. Traces of the religion go back as far as the third millennium B.C.E. The possible religious views of Hinduism are effectively infinite due to the number of gods both major and minor, priests and temples. Nearly 80 percent of the India population consider themselves Hindu and there are at least 30 million practitioners outside of India making this religion the third largest after Christianity and Islam. The word “Hinduism” is a collection of various traditions that are closely related and share common themes yet they do not constitute an integrated set of beliefs or practices.…

    • 1242 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    This social structure (as said before) was constructed around the idea of karma, that by doing good things in life, your next one would be better, or the opposite, that by doing bad your next life would be down a caste. This system though was also majorly supported along by the idea of reincarnation, or the belief of being regenerated or recreated into a new body or person once we die. So the basis of this system revolved around trying to make people be good so that their next life could in a much better caste, and in return a much better life. Furthermore, this is the makeup of the caste system, Brahmins (the kings, rulers, and religious leaders) the Kshatriyas (noble warriors, aristocrats and other, smaller rulers and leaders), the Vaishyas (Merchants, Artisans, Cultivators and traders), and finally the lowest of the bunch the Shudras (peasants and serfs or servants) Religion- For a large amount of the time that the Indus river valley civilization was on the earth it central religion was Hinduism, which was practiced by nearly everyone there as were it main focuses followed.…

    • 1983 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Between the era of 600 BCE and 600 CE, as religious diffusion took place across the globe, India experienced many changes such as the rise of buddhism, and the threat of it’s people adopting a new religion, while hinduism continuously remained as the predominant religion of the area. The rise of Buddhism in India served as a change in the religious demographic of India. Buddhism was developed unintentionally in India by the prince Siddhartha Gautama. The story is told that the Buddha (Prince Gautama,) was born a prince in a lavish palace who led a lavish lifestyle. One day he ventured into the world where for the first time in his life he witnessed sorrow and poverty.…

    • 1041 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    During our lives, we are always taught that diversity is important. However, often we are never taught what diversity is and why it is important. Often, people think of diversity as different skin colors, different ethnicities. To me, diversity means different opinions, different values, and different cultures, not just skin color. If everyone thinks the same and does the same thing, no progress would ever be made.…

    • 833 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays