Buddhism and Hinduism evolved over time as Indian religions and culture spread through trade. Buddhism developed new sects like Mahayana that accepted new doctrines, while Hinduism moved toward monotheism centered around Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Indian trade networks grew through overland Silk Roads and sea routes, spreading Indian culture, religions, and increasing influence while advancing astronomy, mathematics, and medicine.

1. 7.2 Trade Spreads Indian
Religions and Culture

2. Buddhism and Hinduism Change
 Traditional Hindu and Buddhist
Beliefs
• Hinduism blends Aryan beliefs and other
beliefs; polytheistic—believes in many
gods.
• To Buddhists, desire causes suffering,
but suffering can be overcome.

4. Buddhism and Hinduism Change
 A More Popular Form of Buddhism
• Belief in bodhisattvas develops—
potential Buddhas who save humanity
• Mahayana sect—Buddhists accepting
new doctrines of worship and salvation.
• Theravada sect—Buddhists who follow
original teachings of Buddha
• Wealthy Buddhist merchants build
stupas—stone structures over relics

5. Buddhist Denominations
and Schools
Buddhism
Hinayana Mahayana
“The Lesser Vehicle”
“The Greater Vehicle”
(Theravada)
Zen (7th Century C.E., China Vadjrayana
Tantric Buddhism
Vietnam, Korea, Japan) (6th-7th Century India)
Tibetan (Tibet) Shingon (Japan)
Pure Land
Yogacara (4th Century C.E.)
(begins 13th Century Japan)
Tiantai
Madhyamaka
(China, Korea, Japan)
Tendai (Japan)
Nichiren
(Japan)

6. A Buddha image from Nepal

7. A “stupa”

8. Buddhism and Hinduism Change
 A Hindu Rebirth
• Hinduism is remote from people by time
of Mauryan Empire
• Hinduism moves toward monotheism;
gods are part of one divine force
 Brahma—creator of the world
 Vishnu—preserver of the world
 Shiva—destroyer of the world

9. Brahma

10. Vishnu

11. Shiva

12. Achievements of Indian Culture
 Literature and the Performing Arts
• Kalidasa—poet and dramatist, one of
India’s greatest writers
• His skillful and emotionally stirring plays
are still popular
• Madurai writing accademies create
literature; 2,000 Tamil poems survive
• Drama and dance troupes gain
popularity and travel widely

13. Achievements of Indian Culture
 Astronomy, Mathematics, and
Medicine
• Ocean trade leads to advances in
astronomy
• Indian astronomers in Gupta Empire
prove that the world is round.
• Mathematicians develop the idea of zero
and decimal system
• Doctors write medical guides and make
advances in surgery

14. The Spread of Indian Trade
 India’s Valuable Resources
• India has spices, diamonds, precious stones,
and good quality wood

15. The Spread of Indian Trade
 India’s Valuable Resources
• India has spices, diamonds, precious
stones, and good quality wood
 Overland Trade, East and West
• Trade routes called Silk Roads connect
Asia and Europe
• Indians build trading posts to take
advantage of the Silk Roads

16. The Spread of Indian Trade
 Sea Trade, East and West
• Indian merchants carry goods to Rome
by sea
• Merchants trade by sea with Africa,
Arabia, China, Southeast Asia

17. The Spread of Indian Trade
 Effects of Indian Trade
• Increased trade leads to rise in banking
• Bankers lend money to merchants,
careful of degree of risk
• Increased trade spreads Indian culture
to other places
• Trade brings Hinduism, Buddhism to
other lands