Arthashastra

Read the excerpts from this Indian political handbook. What type of political philosophy does this manual embrace? How does its approach to politics compare to the political views expressed in the Analects and the writings of Han Feizi?
What role does this document perceive for women in Indian society? What are its points of emphasis regarding the treatment of women?

The Mahabharata and the Ramayana

What are the goals of the characters in these excerpts from the two epic poems of Hinduism? What do these excerpts tell us about the principles of Hinduism?
Notice that the excerpt from the Ramayana is a "telling" of the ancient epic. These epics come from a tradition based on oral transmission of stories--how does that tradition affect your perception of this tale? What else might this oral tradition teach us about Indian culture?
All of these religious texts came from a period of intense spirituality in Indian culture. Based on these documents and your textbook, why do you think this religious excitement occurred in India during this time?

The Buddhist Conception of the Intermediate State

What is the Intermediate State? How does this concept fit within broader Buddhist theological and philosophical concepts?

The Sermon at Benares

http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/btg/btg17.htm

What is the Middle Path? According to the Buddha, why is it the proper way to achieve Enlightenment?