From the beginning of the sixth century BCE to the end of the fourth century BCE, a drastic change in religious traditions occurred. This period, known as the Axial Age, brought about several new religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism. These religions, all unique in their own way, shared three general aspects of the Axial Age religious transformations. All five of these new religions believed that having strong, positive ethics and morals was very important. They also all developed a scripture along with traditional religious practices. And They all had some sort of human figures as their active leader.
Of these three aspects, the ethics and morals importance stands out the most. In Hinduism the Law of Manu is used mainly as a statement of their moral and ethical ideals. Like one would expect it states that it is not allowed to murder, steal or be sexually immoral. Hinduism moral aims can be summed up as: pleasantness patience, control of mind, non-stealing, purity, control of the senses, intelligence, knowledge, truthfulness, and non-irritability.
Buddhism has five basic rules of moral conduct that are to be followed. They include abstaining from killing, stealing, lying, engaging in improper sexual conduct, and partaking of intoxicants. Buddhism also includes the Eightfold Path. This path is right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. And by following this Eightfold path, one is lead to the Four Nobel Truths: birth is painful, old age is painful, sickness is painful, and death is painful. .
Confucianism teaches that people should love one another and practice respect and courtesy toward each other in their daily lives. It also teaches that society is best served when people act with reciprocity toward each other. .
Taoism considers education, wealth, power, and family ties worthless.
