Question:
Briefly describe the changes that Confucius’ ideas led to in India with Buddhism and Hinduism. Reflect on Asoka’s region… can one person really make a difference, like Confucius said?The changes that Confucius’ ideas led to in India with Buddhism and Hinduism
•Confucius' neighbors in India were very obsessed with different types of debates and arguments. On the contrary, Confucius was focused on daily concerns. This was one of the many reasons Confucianism effected in a huge way for the people in India. He was indifferent to the big mysteries of existence such as the afterlife and god. His answer to this was: ''We do not yet know how to serve men; how can we know about serving the spirits? We don't know yet about life; how can we know about death?'' His new, different and deep ways of thinking and behaving were new to all people. Hinduism, as well as Buddhism, both began their existence in India since 500 BC. Buddhism and Hinduism are practiced in this country, till this day. Both religions are similar in many aspects. They both believe that the specific purpose of their teachings is to escape the reincarnation cycle. When Confucius began to teach about his ideas, India began to change their mindset. They started to practice his ideas and ways of life. They practiced much of humanism. It rapidly became a code of conduct for the Indian people, a social and political philosophy and a way of life. People changed their need for debates for harmony. Soon, Confucianism became one of the principal religions in India. Some would even mix Buddhism ideas with Confucianism ideas and Hinduism practices with Confucianism practices.
•There are many myths about Ashoka propagating Buddhism, distributing wealth, building monasteries, sponsoring festivals, and looking after peace and prosperity in India. However, he turned a tradition (Buddhism) into an official state ideology and thanks to his support Buddhism ceased to be a local Indian cult and began its long transformation into a world religion. Before him, his father began this by often using violence. Eventually, Buddhism died out in India sometime after Ashoka’s death, but it remained popular in some areas, especially in eastern and south-eastern Asia. As we can see, one person can make a difference, like Confucius said. Either it's for a good or bad change but everyone has the power to change and modify everyday ways of life as well as ideas.
