Eastern philosophy

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/eastern-philosophy

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the major philosophical systems?Includes Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Shinto, and various indigenous traditions
2. What is the core epistemological approaches?Often integrates empirical observation, introspective analysis, meditative insight, and scriptural authority
3. Why do Eastern philosophies talk about everything being connected?Many Eastern traditions believe that all things are linked, so they focus on understanding how everything works together instead of just thinking about separate parts.
4. How did Buddhism spread from India to other parts of Asia?Buddhism started in India around the 5th century BCE and then traveled to Central Asia, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, where it mixed with local ideas and created new schools like Zen in China.

Karma: The principle of cause and effect where actions influence future experiences and rebirths.
Dharma: In Hinduism and Buddhism, one's duty, righteousness, or the cosmic order; in Buddhism, also the teachings of the Buddha.
Nirvana/Moksha: The ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of suffering and rebirth in Buddhism (Nirvana) and Hinduism/Jainism (Moksha).
Wu Wei: A Taoist concept meaning 'non-action' or 'effortless action,' acting in accordance with nature's flow.