History Shorts: Ancient Greece and others (1250-320 B.C.)

The Sea Peoples (1200-1150 BC):
http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/11/sea-peoples-and-death-of-civilizations.html

Trojan War (1200 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/11/history-shorts-trojan-war-1200-bc.html

Rise of Greek City States (800 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/11/history-shorts-rise-of-greek-city.html

The First Olympics (776 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/11/history-shorts-first-olympics-776-bc.html

The Draconian Code (621 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/11/draconian-code-621-bc.html

Solon and Athenian Reform (594 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/11/history-shorts-solon-and-athenian.html

Confucius (551-479 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/11/history-shorts-confucius-551-bc-479-bc.html

Cyrus the Great (559 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/11/history-shorts-cyrus-great-forms.html

Buddha (528 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/11/history-shorts-buddha-attains.html

Marathon (490 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/12/history-shorts-battle-of-marathon-490.html

300 Spartans (480 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/12/history-shorts-300-spartans-at.html

Plataea and the end of the Persian War (479 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/12/history-shorts-plataea-and-end-of.html

Parthenon (447 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2010/12/history-shorts-parthenon-construction.html

The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2011/01/history-shorts-peloponnesian-war-431.html

The Death of Socrates (399 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2011/02/history-shorts-death-of-socrates-399-bc.html

The Death of Plato (347 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2011/02/history-shorts-death-of-plato-347-bc.html

Philip of Macedon Assassinated (336 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/search/label/History%20Shorts?max-results=20

Alexander and Gaugamela:

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2011/02/history-shorts-alexander-great-and.html

Alexander’s Death (323 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2011/03/history-shorts-alexander-greats-death.html

Aristotle’s Death (322 BC):

http://cicero390.blogspot.com/2011/03/history-shorts-aristotles-death-322-bc.html

History Shorts: Buddha attains Enlightenment (528 B.C.)

Siddhartha Gautama created Buddhism. He was born into a high caste, perhaps even royalty. However, Gautama was not satisfied with life. He was restless and decided to explore all that he had been sheltered from. Eventually, he determined that neither extreme comfort nor extreme poverty provided that which he sought. He discovered and settled on a middle path between extremes. After meditating for some time, he achieved true enlightenment. From that point, his followers referred to him as the Buddha (Enlightened One). His transformation and subsequent teachings led to one of the world’s great religions.

Quotes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_6GBnIC_vk

Kundun:  Kundun is a film about the current Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is the leader of one Buddhist sect that resides in Tibet. The current Dalai Lama is himself quite a celebrity and tremendous ambassador to the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW2USm6wTSA

Kung Fu: The television show starring David Carradine represents one western view of Buddhism and eastern philosophy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iaamkUEF_A

This is how most westerners view Buddha:

http://www.artfiberglass.com/dushan1/images/DSCN1316b.jpg

Turning Points in History: Buddhism

The son of a noble, Siddhartha Gautama, wanted something more in life. He lived lavishly and decided that did not fulfill him. So, he decided to live the life of a pauper. That did not satisfy him either. So, he decided the middle path between all extremes was the way to go and the way to live. With that, a religion was born.

Buddhism is the belief that sentient beings go through life cycles. With each life, they learn a lesson and collect karma. After death, they either advance, or go backward, in the next life depending on their behavior. Once they attain the highest level, they are free of suffering and achieve Nirvana.

Buddhism is a mostly Asian religion. However, many westerners subscribe to Buddhist teachings and it particularly appeals to Christians as the belief in good works and dislike of gaudy displays of wealth is prevalent in both belief systems. Many strains of Buddhism exist among the world’s 500 million practitioners. Additionally, it’s the only main religion with some scientific basis. On the other hand, some have criticized Buddhist tenants for propping up India’s Caste System by telling those on the low end of the social scale to behave so that they may be born in a higher caste in the next incarnation.