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The Vedic (Hindu) Religion in India, Hebrew Monotheism, and Persian Zoroastrianism. Interactions Among Bronze Age Civilizations: Early Religions and Trade. Aryan migrations into the Indus Valley caused a mixture of ideas to form the basis of Hinduism
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The Vedic (Hindu) Religion in India, Hebrew Monotheism, and Persian Zoroastrianism Interactions Among Bronze Age Civilizations:Early Religions and Trade
Aryan migrations into the Indus Valley caused a mixture of ideas to form the basis of Hinduism • The Vedas (1500-600 B.C.E) = a holy book compiled by the Brahmins (priests), contained basic ideas of the impersonal gods of early Hinduism • caste system formed out of the ideas in the Vedas (written using Sanskrit language) • Dissatisfaction with impersonal Brahmin practices led to the Upanishads (800-400 B.C.E), a holy book showing a more personal relationship with the gods • Hinduism eventually was challenged and reformed by the rise of Buddhism Origins of Hinduism
Aryan Migration • pastoral depended on their cattle. • warriors horse-drawn chariots.
Varna System Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudras Those with no caste: Untouchables
The Caste System Justified Brahmins • SOCIAL CLASSES= • mouth • arms • legs • feet • Of Purusha, a god Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudras
Hindu Beliefs • Brahman • basically, God. Everyone and everything (including all the other gods) is a manifestation (a part) of Brahman. • Ultimate goal • Union with Brahman by achieving moksha (liberation) through samsara(reincarnation) • Caste System • Social mobility in the NEXT LIFE determined by good karma achieved by fulfilling ones dharma (duties) • Bhakti(worship) movement • Came about as a reaction against Brahmin rituals that weren’t very personal • Adoration and personal worship of gods • Identification of individuals with a particular deity
Vishnu and Shiva • Protector and preserver • Destroyer
Zoroastrianism • Official religion of the Persian Empire • Founded by Zoroaster (600s BCE) • Beliefs • Monotheistic (Ahura Mazda) • Belief in Heaven and Hell • Judgment Day • Good (God) and Evil (Satan), Savior (Messiah) • Assimilated into other monotheistic faiths
JUDAISM • Hebrews in the Middle East • Despite conquests by Assyria and Babylonian empires, retained culture and traditions • Duteronomic Code – 613 laws in the Old Testament to keep Jews separate from other cultures and prevent assimilation
Judaism • Yahweh- God • Powerful and jealous • Demanded loyalty • People could communicate with God • God was viewed to be actively involved in human affairs • In return for devotion to Yahweh, became his “chosen people” • Basis for Christianity and Islam