Currently India atm is a massive blob of Hinduism with pockets of Hellenism, Jainism and Buddhism. However, India during this time was a time of great transformation and religious exploration. The Sramanic Movement was in full swing with numerous schools of thought all competing with one another. Buddhism and Jainism came out of this tradition but there were other religious philosophies such as the Ajivika school, the Ajñana school, and the Charvaka. Like wise there were Hindu Philosophies and movements that existed as well. It was quite a dynamic time in India.
When playing as the Mauryans or another Indian empire we should explore this mileu and diversity. This was a time when new movements were growing and vying with each other for influence. This should hopefully add not just more to do in India but adding more replayability to the region.
Jainism
Jain Schism
During the reign of Chandragupta there was a twelve year long famine. Followers of Bhadrabahu moved from Magadha to Karnataka to survive this famine. When the famine was over and the followers returned to Magadha, the followers found that the Jain monks who stayed in Magadha had adopted white clothes. This along with debates over the authencity of the Angas, caused a split to happen within Jainism. The white clothed monks would become the Svetembara sect while the ones that kept to nudity for the monks would become the Digamabara.
For Imperator, this should be an event chain to show this schism. to reflect the sects I think a Trait should be applied to Jains after the event happens which splits them apart.
Sallekhana
Sallekhana is the practice of voluntarily fasting one's self to death, or the ultimate triumph over Human Passions. Famously Chandragupta himself would abdicate and die practicing Sallekhana. So to represent this in Imperator, there should be a chance for devoted or zealous character to basically commit suicide this way. As this was the method that Chandragupta himself died, a ruler might have the decision to abdicate first and then die fasting in the woods.
Jain Gods
Currently in Imperator the deities of Jainism that exist are: Diwali Festival, Rishabhanatha's Teachings, Satya, Ahimsa, Moksha of Neminatha, Paryushana Festival, Wisdom of Bhadrabahu, Aparigraha, Moksha of Rishabhanatha, Roth Teej, Arghya Ritual, Mahavira, Moksha of Parshvanatha. The issue here is that some of those deities are just festivals(Diwali, Paryushana, and Roth Teej), Arghya Ritual which is just a ritual. Two separate Mokshas reflecting two Tīrthaṅkara, then you got several virtues which IMO do make sense. In short the deities are a bit of a mess. So Here is my suggestion for the deity listing.
Culture:
Buddhism
Buddhism in the time of Imperator is young and dynamic. This is the era of the eighteen schools of Buddhism. Any number of which could have become dominate instead of dying out. When playing a nation that is Buddhist or with Buddhist pops the fact that it is a dynamic and young religious movement should be apparent.
Buddhist Schools:
As mentioned this was in the time from of the different Buddhist schools. You had Mahasamghika, Pudgalavada, Sarvastivada, Vibhajyavada, Ekavyavaharika, and Caitika, just to name some of the schools that were around during this era. Representing the diversity and dynamic nature of these schools as some were sub schools of others and the evolution of Buddhism, should be something to experience when playing as a Buddhist ruler.
In our timeline only Therevada remains of these original schools descending from the Vibhajyavada tradition IIRC. However because of how young and dynamic the religion is during Imperator's time other fates should be possible. Perhaps the other schools survive in addition to Theravada, perhaps one become far more influential during the third Buddhist council.
These schools would best be represented by a trait IMO and events about debates among the monks.
The Third Buddhist Council
During the reign of Ashoka the Third Buddhist Council was called. It was from this council that missionaries were sent across the world to spread Buddhism. Though the council was called to deal with heretical views and that the refutations to these heresies was compilied in the Kathavatthu.
Any Buddhist Ruler who rules a nation that has the rank of great power can call for the third Buddhist Council. It should require some influence. It would unlock the missionary events where missionaries are sent throughout the world. This can only be one once in the entire game by one nation. If you are a buddhist nation that isn't a great power you should get the option to send a monastic envoy to the council to support the position of the nation in question.
This also would create dynamism in areas around India as with the exception of the missionary that went east to Burma, all the places are in game. You have Sri Lanka, you have the various regions of Southern India. You have the Himalayas and you have Bactria and the lands of the Greeks. So once the Third Buddhist Council is concluded you should see over time some missionaries coming to the land to teach this new philosophy even in the Greek states.
Greco-Buddhism
The greeks who lived in Bactria and later the Indo-Greek kingdoms practiced a syncretic form of Buddhism as they mixed it with Hellenism. It was from here that anthropomorphic artwork of the Buddha first originated. So there should be some events to reflect the changing artistic styles that are developing within the Hellenic Buddhism.
Perhaps some events to reflect the nature of the syncretic nature of Buddhism for the Hellenic, such as how Herakles became the guardian and defender of the Buddha. While this can be done now with just picking Herakles as a Buddhist ruler. a couple events to reflect how these deities are being regarded within Buddhism might be interesting to show how it is Syncretic.
These events can add to the immersion as you play a syncretic Hellenic Buddhist ruler.
Buddhist Literature:
As Buddhism was a new faith there was a number of texts written down. Most notably in the 1st century BCE it was when the Pali Canon was collected following the fourth Buddhist council in Sri Lanka. This should be a major event for Buddhism. It would not have to be done by Sri Lanka, as other Buddhist naitons could have done it instead of Sri Lanka. But still composing the Pali canon should be a major event that fires.
Other texts include the Milinda Panha, Abhidharma, and various Gandhāran Buddhist texts. Not to mention the various schools had their own texts as well. So my thought is that Rulers should be able to patronize once per their life time a religious text.
As with Jainism Buddhist Rulers should be able to Abdicate and become Ascetics joining the Buddhist monastic order. As according to legend Menander I did just that and abdicated and became a monk, this is disputed by Plutarch though.
Ajivika
A philosophy of fatalism founded by Makkhali Gosala. They strongly believed in Niyati or fate. The nature of this philosophical school was atheistic in origin, denying a creator or unseen mover and subscribing to the concept of Atomism; they also believed that everyone had an Atman though in contrast to other philosophies coming out of the Sramana movement, Gosala believed that the Atman was part of the material world. This soul helps the body in meditation and passes through many life times before it reaches its pre-destined salvation.
They had their own texts that codified the teachings of Gosala and others, though we have lost them through time. However a ruler who follows the Ajivka school should be able to compile the texts and try to spread them throughout the empire.
Similar to both Buddhists and Jains they were ascetics and the value of Ahmisa was also important to them as was being vegetarianism. During the reign of Bindusara it was at the height of popularity though declined following his death and the rise of Ashoka. However, as neither start ruling the Muaryan Empire at the start of the game, this fate should not be determined for them. There is
Hinduism/Vedism
While the Sramana Movement was creating all these philosophical movements to go against the grain of the Vedic tradition. This period did not leave the vedic tradition untouched, just the opposite. This was a transformative time for Hinduism as it was for the other sramanic movements going on in the region. The Vedic Religion was transforming into Hinduism during this era.
Hindu Philosophical schools
A number of Hindu philosophical schools were being debated and expounded upon during this time. You had the schools of Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, and Vaisheshika that existed before the game's start. During the game's time frame there also was the development of the Mimamsa school of philosophy arose around the final century BCE.
Hindu Literature
As with the other traditions going on in India during this time there was an outpouring of literature as well. It was during the game's time that the
Bhagavad Gita was composed in the second century BCE. Numerous sutras, related to the hindu philosophical school were also written during this era.
Hopefully by including the Sramanic movement and expanding upon the religious traditions that existed during this time India and the regions around it can become far more dynamic and immersive to play in.
When playing as the Mauryans or another Indian empire we should explore this mileu and diversity. This was a time when new movements were growing and vying with each other for influence. This should hopefully add not just more to do in India but adding more replayability to the region.
Jainism
Jain Schism
During the reign of Chandragupta there was a twelve year long famine. Followers of Bhadrabahu moved from Magadha to Karnataka to survive this famine. When the famine was over and the followers returned to Magadha, the followers found that the Jain monks who stayed in Magadha had adopted white clothes. This along with debates over the authencity of the Angas, caused a split to happen within Jainism. The white clothed monks would become the Svetembara sect while the ones that kept to nudity for the monks would become the Digamabara.
For Imperator, this should be an event chain to show this schism. to reflect the sects I think a Trait should be applied to Jains after the event happens which splits them apart.
Sallekhana
Sallekhana is the practice of voluntarily fasting one's self to death, or the ultimate triumph over Human Passions. Famously Chandragupta himself would abdicate and die practicing Sallekhana. So to represent this in Imperator, there should be a chance for devoted or zealous character to basically commit suicide this way. As this was the method that Chandragupta himself died, a ruler might have the decision to abdicate first and then die fasting in the woods.
Jain Gods
Currently in Imperator the deities of Jainism that exist are: Diwali Festival, Rishabhanatha's Teachings, Satya, Ahimsa, Moksha of Neminatha, Paryushana Festival, Wisdom of Bhadrabahu, Aparigraha, Moksha of Rishabhanatha, Roth Teej, Arghya Ritual, Mahavira, Moksha of Parshvanatha. The issue here is that some of those deities are just festivals(Diwali, Paryushana, and Roth Teej), Arghya Ritual which is just a ritual. Two separate Mokshas reflecting two Tīrthaṅkara, then you got several virtues which IMO do make sense. In short the deities are a bit of a mess. So Here is my suggestion for the deity listing.
Culture:
- Ahimsa - one of the central Virtues for Jainism. Keep it as it is.
- Neminatha - one of the Tirthankaras. This is mostly just a rename from the Moksha of Neminatha to just Neminatha.
- Moksha - The ultimate goal in Jainism.
- Bhadrabahu - This deity should only unlock after his death in 298 BCE, at the start of the game in 304 BCE, he is still very much alive. Also rename to just Bhadrabahu.
- Aparigraha - This is the virtue of non-possessive, another central virtue for jainism. Keep as it is.
- Rishabhanatha - one of the Tirthankaras. This is mostly just a rename from the Moksha of Rishabhanatha to just Rishabhanatha.
- Asteya - Another Vitue, the virtue of not stealing.
- Mahavira - The founder of Jainism, and also a Tirthankara. Keep as it is.
- Parshvanatha - Another Tirthankara; as with the others unify it by renaming the Moksha of Parshvanatha to just Parshvanatha.
- Satya - Another virtue of Jainism. Would need new effects as it originally was a War deity.
Buddhism
Buddhism in the time of Imperator is young and dynamic. This is the era of the eighteen schools of Buddhism. Any number of which could have become dominate instead of dying out. When playing a nation that is Buddhist or with Buddhist pops the fact that it is a dynamic and young religious movement should be apparent.
Buddhist Schools:
As mentioned this was in the time from of the different Buddhist schools. You had Mahasamghika, Pudgalavada, Sarvastivada, Vibhajyavada, Ekavyavaharika, and Caitika, just to name some of the schools that were around during this era. Representing the diversity and dynamic nature of these schools as some were sub schools of others and the evolution of Buddhism, should be something to experience when playing as a Buddhist ruler.
In our timeline only Therevada remains of these original schools descending from the Vibhajyavada tradition IIRC. However because of how young and dynamic the religion is during Imperator's time other fates should be possible. Perhaps the other schools survive in addition to Theravada, perhaps one become far more influential during the third Buddhist council.
These schools would best be represented by a trait IMO and events about debates among the monks.
The Third Buddhist Council
During the reign of Ashoka the Third Buddhist Council was called. It was from this council that missionaries were sent across the world to spread Buddhism. Though the council was called to deal with heretical views and that the refutations to these heresies was compilied in the Kathavatthu.
Any Buddhist Ruler who rules a nation that has the rank of great power can call for the third Buddhist Council. It should require some influence. It would unlock the missionary events where missionaries are sent throughout the world. This can only be one once in the entire game by one nation. If you are a buddhist nation that isn't a great power you should get the option to send a monastic envoy to the council to support the position of the nation in question.
This also would create dynamism in areas around India as with the exception of the missionary that went east to Burma, all the places are in game. You have Sri Lanka, you have the various regions of Southern India. You have the Himalayas and you have Bactria and the lands of the Greeks. So once the Third Buddhist Council is concluded you should see over time some missionaries coming to the land to teach this new philosophy even in the Greek states.
Greco-Buddhism
The greeks who lived in Bactria and later the Indo-Greek kingdoms practiced a syncretic form of Buddhism as they mixed it with Hellenism. It was from here that anthropomorphic artwork of the Buddha first originated. So there should be some events to reflect the changing artistic styles that are developing within the Hellenic Buddhism.
Perhaps some events to reflect the nature of the syncretic nature of Buddhism for the Hellenic, such as how Herakles became the guardian and defender of the Buddha. While this can be done now with just picking Herakles as a Buddhist ruler. a couple events to reflect how these deities are being regarded within Buddhism might be interesting to show how it is Syncretic.
These events can add to the immersion as you play a syncretic Hellenic Buddhist ruler.
Buddhist Literature:
As Buddhism was a new faith there was a number of texts written down. Most notably in the 1st century BCE it was when the Pali Canon was collected following the fourth Buddhist council in Sri Lanka. This should be a major event for Buddhism. It would not have to be done by Sri Lanka, as other Buddhist naitons could have done it instead of Sri Lanka. But still composing the Pali canon should be a major event that fires.
Other texts include the Milinda Panha, Abhidharma, and various Gandhāran Buddhist texts. Not to mention the various schools had their own texts as well. So my thought is that Rulers should be able to patronize once per their life time a religious text.
As with Jainism Buddhist Rulers should be able to Abdicate and become Ascetics joining the Buddhist monastic order. As according to legend Menander I did just that and abdicated and became a monk, this is disputed by Plutarch though.
Ajivika
A philosophy of fatalism founded by Makkhali Gosala. They strongly believed in Niyati or fate. The nature of this philosophical school was atheistic in origin, denying a creator or unseen mover and subscribing to the concept of Atomism; they also believed that everyone had an Atman though in contrast to other philosophies coming out of the Sramana movement, Gosala believed that the Atman was part of the material world. This soul helps the body in meditation and passes through many life times before it reaches its pre-destined salvation.
They had their own texts that codified the teachings of Gosala and others, though we have lost them through time. However a ruler who follows the Ajivka school should be able to compile the texts and try to spread them throughout the empire.
Similar to both Buddhists and Jains they were ascetics and the value of Ahmisa was also important to them as was being vegetarianism. During the reign of Bindusara it was at the height of popularity though declined following his death and the rise of Ashoka. However, as neither start ruling the Muaryan Empire at the start of the game, this fate should not be determined for them. There is
Hinduism/Vedism
While the Sramana Movement was creating all these philosophical movements to go against the grain of the Vedic tradition. This period did not leave the vedic tradition untouched, just the opposite. This was a transformative time for Hinduism as it was for the other sramanic movements going on in the region. The Vedic Religion was transforming into Hinduism during this era.
Hindu Philosophical schools
A number of Hindu philosophical schools were being debated and expounded upon during this time. You had the schools of Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, and Vaisheshika that existed before the game's start. During the game's time frame there also was the development of the Mimamsa school of philosophy arose around the final century BCE.
Hindu Literature
As with the other traditions going on in India during this time there was an outpouring of literature as well. It was during the game's time that the
Bhagavad Gita was composed in the second century BCE. Numerous sutras, related to the hindu philosophical school were also written during this era.
Hopefully by including the Sramanic movement and expanding upon the religious traditions that existed during this time India and the regions around it can become far more dynamic and immersive to play in.
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- 4
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