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Ancient India. Religion, and culture, and stuff Oh my!. From Indo-Aryan to Indian Society. Caste System Basically divided in four classes : – priests ( Brahmins ) – warriors ( kshatriyas ) – merchants ( Vaishyas ) – and servants ( Sudras )
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Ancient India Religion, and culture, and stuff Oh my!
From Indo-Aryan to Indian Society • Caste System • Basically divided in four classes : – priests (Brahmins) – warriors (kshatriyas) – merchants (Vaishyas) – and servants (Sudras) • Perhaps a 5th group (Pariahs or untouchables) • But there are thousands of sub-castes
Hinduism • Dates back more than 3000 years • Developed through Brahmin’s interpretations of vedas • Many gods. Yet there is only one God, called Brahma. • All other divinities are aspects of Brahma (monistic)
Hinduism cont. • The world is an illusion (maya), causing grief and pain—you must learn to identify maya • Hindus believes in reincarnation (samsara = cycle of rebirth) • Dharma = moral duty you must follow in order to progress • Karma = the law of cause and effect (what you do here will affect your future life) • The goal = escape samsara so that the individual soul (atman) becomes one with Brahma = nirvana
Gods and Goddesses • Vishnu, Shiva (Siva), and Shakti • Vishnu is the protector and the preserver of the world • Shiva is both destroyer and restorer • Shakti is the Mother Goddess. Can be either beneficial or fierce; sometimes called Parvati or Kali. • Temple worship
Hindu Practices • Yoga = free the mind • Religious festivals • Reverence for animals (cow)
Buddhism • Offshoot of Hinduism • Developed around teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) • Buddha means “the Awakened or Enlightened One” • There is no one single “Bible” of Buddhism but all Buddhists share some basic beliefs • The religion is both a discipline and a body of beliefs
Four Noble Truths • 1) All life is suffering, pain, and misery, or dukkha. • 2) This suffering has a cause: tanha or selfish craving and personal desire. • 3) This selfish craving can be overcome. • 4) The way to overcome this misery is through the Eightfold Path.
Eightfold Path • 1) Right Views • 2) Right Intentions • 3) Right Speech • 4) Right Action • 5) Right Living • 6) Right Effort • 7) Right Mindfulness • 8) Right Concentration
Goal of Buddhism • Samsara condemns the individual to the suffering of life. • Life’s goal is to escape samsara and achieve nirvana • The way to achieve Nirvana is to follow the path of the Middle Way.
Two Vehicles • Two paths • Hinayana (Theraveda) or the Lesser Vehicle. • Theravada Buddhists see Buddha as a man, a saint, who chose to give up all his wealth and comfort to achieve Nirvana. • The more liberal tradition is called the Mahayana or the Greater Vehicle. • Mahayana Buddhists stress the Buddha as a savior who devoted his live to serving and teaching others.