Religion Development

The Epics, and the Puranas, are written around 500 BCE. These signal the beginning of devotional Hinduism, in which followers commit themselves to one deity, particularly Shiva or Vishnu, though Devi is popular as well.

Siddhartha Gautama was born around 490 BCE in northern India His parents belong to the Shakya caste, and his father is a respected head of the community. Although he is relatively wealthy, Gautama is exposed to human suffering from an early age.

Their leader had passed away.

He leaves home around 461 BCE to search for a solution to human suffering. For about six years he practices yoga and experiments with extreme asceticism as he tries to find answers.

After realizing that extreme asceticism will not help him solve the problem of human suffering, Gautama sits under a ficus tree and becomes enlightened. He is known as "the Buddha," or "the enlightened one." He realizes that his thinking was the only obstacle to freeing himself from his cares, and that if he separates himself from his human desires, he will no longer suffer.

After becoming the Buddha, Gautama gives his first sermon in a deer park called Sarnath, near the city of Varanasi. Known as the time when the Buddha "set in motion the wheel of the law," this sermon is the first time he explains the four noble truths, the eightfold path towards ending suffering, and the middle way between asceticism and luxury. Shortly afterwards, Gautama gains his first disciples, Sariputra and Mahamaudgalyayana, and the monastic community of Sangha is established.

Under the reign of King Sosurim of the Kingdom of Koguryo, Buddhism enters Korea in 372.

Formal teachings of Confucius

Chuang-Tzu further develops Taoist philosophy.

Chandragupta founds the Maurya Empire in the Indian subcontinent around 320 BCE, which goes on to become one of the world's largest empires in its time. Hindu ministers, including Chanakya, initially introduce Hinduism as the major religion of the empire, but under Ashoka's leadership, the empire later embraces Buddhism.

Emperor Ashoka, who rules India between 268 and 232 BCE, adopts Buddhism as India's state religion after regretting the carnage of war. Under his patronage, Buddhist missionaries travel around Asia, monks are given political influence, and Buddhist ideas are generally accepted. Ashoka's rule plays a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism.

Qin Dynasty ordered the Confucius to destroy all of the books.

Period of the Han dynasty.

Alexander the Great's successors launch a campaign of Hellenization in Israel, and they erect a statue of Zeus in the second Temple of Jerusalem and outlaw Jewish observances. The Jews revolt, led by a group known as the Maccabees, and in 164 BCE they regain control of Jerusalem and purify the Temple. This event forms the basis of the celebration of Hannukah.

Immortality Taoism develops; Taiping Jing is compiled.

First Gospel published ( that was written by Mark)

Centre of Christianity moves to Antioch, Alexandria and Rome.

Widespread persecution of Christians under Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Book of Revelation and Gospel of Saint John written.

The founder of this religion was Jesus Christ and Christians believe that Jesus is the incarnation of God.

First mention of cult of Confucius. Han emperor sends representative to respect the Confucius' grave.

Emperor Han Wudi makes Confucian texts the basis of training for bureaucrats

Zhang Ling founds the sect of the Way of Five Bushels of Rice.

Zhang Lu organizes the Way of Five Bushels of Rice into religious communities, which become known as Taoism of Heavenly Masters.

Because of these tragedies, Jewish academics focus on compiling and codifying the teachings of the Rabbis. Around 200, the Mishna, or a collection of rabbinic teachings, sayings, and interpretations, is compiled. Soon after the Talmud, an expansion of the Mishna teachings, is compiled in Palestine and later updated in Babylon.

Wang Bi introduces Taoist concepts into Confucian learning.

Armenia becomes the world's first country to officially adopt Christianity as the state religion.

Edict of Milan issued by Constantine - Christianity becomes a religion within the Roman empire

Ge Hong (283-363) writes The Master Who Has Embraced Simplicity.

Around 320 CE, Maharaja Sri Gupta founds the Gupta Empire. The Gupta Empire covered most of India. It ushers in an era of peace and prosperity that allows Hindu culture to stabilize and spread.

Overrun by the invading Hun, the Gupta Empire got weaker and was destroyed around 500 CE.

The ruler of the Korean kingdom Baekje presents an image of the Buddha, as well as scripture-scrolls, to the Japanese Emperor Kimmei in 538, thus officially introducing Buddhism to Japan. After some dispute, the Japanese emperor accepts the religion, and it is declared the official religion 40 years later. Buddhism quickly becomes the center of Japanese culture.