Across
- 3. a large, distinct landmass in South Asia, geographically bounded by the Himalayas to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south
- 5. a historical pattern of recurring rise and fall of dynasties in ancient China, justified by the Mandate of Heaven
- 6. meaning "to uphold" or "to sustain," representing the cosmic moral order, the "right way of living," or the "law of nature" that holds the universe together
- 9. a fine-grained, yellowish, windblown silt sediment that forms thick, fertile deposits
- 11. the practical guide to achieving spiritual liberation from the cycle of Rebirth and suffering
- 12. an ancient monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster in Persia
- 14. meaning "non-violence" or "non-injury"
- 17. the idea that good actions lead to good outcomes, and bad actions lead to negative outcomes, and it is the sum of all of those actions
- 19. the concept of the eternal, unchanging "self" or "soul" that is the true essence of an individual
- 20. a group of ancient people who spoke Proto-Indo-Iranian languages
- 21. a rigid social hierarchy based on birth, with individuals assigned a social status and occupation for life
- 23. a state of ultimate liberation and the cessation of suffering
- 24. empire founded by Chandra Gupta, not related to Chandragupta Maurya who founded the Mauryan Empire, the empire is known for its advancements in many fields
- 25. an individual sent on a religious mission to spread their faith
- 26. represents the balance of two opposing but complementary forces in the universe
Down
- 1. the merit-based selection of government officials through a competitive examination system, most prominently in Imperial China
- 2. a series of fortifications built over centuries in China, meant to protect against nomadic tribes
- 4. ancient sacred texts in Hinduism
- 7. fundamental Buddhist teachings from ancient India, outlining the path to enlightenment
- 8. the ultimate, impersonal reality, or cosmic spirit, from which all things in the universe originate and to which they return
- 10. an ancient Chinese concept that legitimized the rule of a king or emperor by claiming his authority was granted by a divine power, or "Heaven"
- 13. a central Confucian concept emphasizing respect, obedience, and care for one's parents and ancestors
- 15. the predominant religion of the Indian subcontinent, origins traced to the Indus Valley Civilization
- 16. the ultimate spiritual goal of liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth
- 18. the belief that the soul or consciousness is reborn into a new body after death
- 22. an ancient Chinese philosophical and religious tradition emphasizing living in harmony with the "Dao," or "the way" of the natural universe