Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Third wave civilization-CH 7,8,10

Moving forward through the many eras, most civilizations took with them or received a little of each other when it comes to religions and cultures.  For example, Buddhism faded in India in the third wave civilization but was received by the Chinese culture.  But in the case of the Chinese, it is funny how they translated some parts of Buddhism to their concept of what the role husbands and wives should entail.  One part that was translated was “husband supports wife” to “husband controls wife.”  From my perspective, it is a complete different verb and meaning but overall I find it comical in the way the male gender always seems to be the superior.  Nonetheless, the Chinese have gone through so much with political powers that even Buddhism was controlled by the political state.  But above all, Buddhism did not vanish or dissipate as other cultures or civilizations.  For some reason or enlightened strength, this culture or way of life did not vanish.  Could it be for the exact reason that the state firmly controlled it or the Chinese really enjoyed this way of life-with faith alone one could be enlightened by everyone? Korea, Vietnam and Japan also received or took with them an enlightened part of China. 

The inventions that came out of this third wave civilization were pretty fascinating to read about also.  The invention of paper, which we use daily even though we are a paperless era, was surprising to me. Perhaps that is what we can name this era-The Paperless Era.  (Just a thought.) Another invention, the magnetic compass which I am sure helped many in sea commerce trade and transactions also was invented in China.  And then, of course the gun powder was also created. There cannot be much battle without the ammunition.  Could it be that fireworks are so common among the Chinese culture, for the history related to gunpowder?

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