Important Dates: Religion

Indus River Valley Civilization Established

2500 BCE

Hinduism has no exact date of creation, but it is known that the religion originated in the Indus river valley civilization

Daoism Develops

1600 BCE

Daoism was first seen around this time period in history. It began in China during the Shang dynasty.

The Vedas Were Written

1500 BCE

The Vedas are the sacred texts of Hinduism and were written around this time. These texts include poems, hymns, prayers, and a guide to living a religious life.

The Upanishads are Written

800 BCE

The Upanishads are additional sacred texts within Hinduism. The texts introduced karma and reincarnation to the religion.

Siddhartha Gautama Born

623 BCE

Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism was born. He went on to reach enlightenment and preach to others about his spiritual state.

Lao Tzu is born

571 BCE

Lao Tzu is the Chinese philosopher who discovered and introduced the religion of Daoism.

Confucius is Born

551 BCE

Confucius was the philosopher who founded Confucianism. He believed in prioritizing morality and personal ethics.

Confucius Begins His Own Private School

522 BCE

Confucius created his own school to teach his beliefs. This was a big step for spreading the ideas of Confucianism

The Tao Te Ching is written

500 BCE

The Tao Te Ching is the holy text of the religion of Taoism. The book preached about how all organisms should live in balance with the Tao, better known as the Universe.

Wars That Caused Legalism

Period: 481 BCE to 221 BCE

Violent wars occurred in China during this Time period, which sparked the idea of Legalism. Legalism was created in response to the war and began being reinforced to keep people in order.

Mahayan is founded

350 BCE

Mahayana is one of the three major sects of Buddhism and is the largest sect. The sect does not require followers to become monks or nuns. It teaches how to reach spiritual enlightenment.

Buddhism Becomes Official State Religion of India

300 BCE

Buddhism becomes the official religion of India, under the rule of Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Indian emperor

Han Feizi is born

280 BCE

Han Feizi, the philosopher who discovered and created legalism, was born. He found that laws needed to be more important than the gospel, in order to keep people from acting on violent impulses.

Qin Dynasty Begins

221 BCE

Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of this dynasty began to enforce the beliefs of legalism

Wu the Great begins to Rule

141 BCE

Wu the Great's ruling is significant to Confusiam because he is the ruler of an ancient china that establishedd Confucianism as State Philospohy

The founding of the Ise Grand Shrine

4 BCE

This shrine is one of the first to be created/discovered in Shintoism. The shrine honors the goddess of the sun, Amaterasu

the Kojiki is Written

712

This is one of the two most influential holy texts in Shintoism. This text includes information on the kami.

The Nihon-gi is written

720

The Nihon-gi is another of the most influential holy texts in Shintoism. The text includes myths about Shinto gods.