A Comparison: The Bhagavad Gita, Zarathustra and Confucious

Along with rapid political development and the unification of large areas into one perceived "nationality," during the Classical Era, the expansion of thought was also rapidly evolving across societies from purely ceremonial and mechanical religions into something deeper. With that in mind, I would like to look at and compare three major thought groups and theologies from the Classical Period; The Bhagavad Gita (Buddhism), the teachings of Zarathustra (Zoroastrianism), and the thoughts of Confucius.

First, lets look at the Bhagavad Gita, the main document on which this post is based. It talks about the caste system, and more directly about the importance of being a brave and noble warrior in order to achieve honor. These teachings of nobility and honesty, are key to the caste system, stating that one who runs from battle is not noble of carrying the caste of kshatriya. Some of these teachings are very close to the teachings of Zarathustra. Although Zarathustra did not focus on anything that would be able to be related to the caste system, he did teach of an afterlife, in much the same ways that Buddhism taught people to seek to become removed from the cycle of reincarnation by performing caste duties,  Zarathustra's teaching preach of living a wholesome and honest life, and that in return when the forces of good win over the forces of evil, those who lived good and moral lives will have their souls moved to a heavenly paradise.

The teachings of Buddhism and the Bhagavad Gita called for renunciation and to go through life without purpose, while the teachings of Zarathustra called for individuals to participate in and enjoy their lives. This way the two teachings present a huge deviation from one another.

The teachings of Confucius, on the other hand, stressed the importance of not being involved in religion, as he believed it was beyond understanding. This proposes a clear divide between the thinking of Zarathustra and the Bhagavad Gita, as both greatly center around a religious aspect. However, both the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Confucius tell us that who holds government positions is important. Confucius believed that highly educated, good and thoughtful people should be placed in government, while the Bhagavad Gita focuses on the importance of the caste in both government and fighting, and how one must work to maintain his caste's expectations. In these respects, the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Confucius are very much in tune with one another.