Topic 7: State, Society and the Quest for Salvation in India

1. Topic 7: State, Society and the Quest for Salvation in India

2. Chronology of Early Indian History • c. 2500 BCE: Indus Valley civilization • c. 1900 BCE: Harappan decline • c. 1500 BCE: Beginning of Aryan migration • 1500-500 BCE: The “Vedic Age” • 520 BCE: Darius of Persia invades India • 327 BCE: Alexander the Great invades India • 321-185 BCE: Mauryan dynasty • 320-550 CE: Gupta dynasty

3. “original Gandhi”

4. Gupta “Golden Age” 320-550ce

5. Gupta’s “Golden Age”320-540ce • Arts and sciences fully developed • Sanskrit literature – Kalidasa • Science – striking achievements • Mathematics – “Arabic numerals,” concept of the zero, quadratic equations, atomic theory of matter • Surgery and dentistry • Metallurgy, glassware, cotton fabrics • Agriculture and trade the basis of Empire • Southernization – spread of Indian influence into Southeast Asia – Funan, Mekong River, Khmer

7. Funan

9. The “Vedic Age”: 1500-500 BCE Named for sacred texts, the “Vedas” Period important for: Assimilation of Aryans Emergence of varna distinctions Emergence of Hinduism The Rig Veda in Sanscrit

10. Caste / Varna System of social distinctions probably created by Aryans Distinctions were based on occupations and roles in society Varna = caste Jati = sub-caste

11. Varna • Brahmin Priests • Kshatriyas Warriors and aristocrats • Vaishyas Cultivators, artisans, merchants • Shudras Servants _______________________________________ • Outcastes “Untouchables”

12. From the Rig Veda: When they divided Purusha, how many portions did they make? What do they call his mouth, his arms? What do they call his thighs and feet? The BRAHMIN was his mouth, of both his arms was the KSHATRIYA made. His thighs became the VAISHYA, and from his feet the SHUDRA was produced.

13. Varna ISN’T: Class Color Aryan vs. non-Aryan Occupation Varna IS: “A group of families whose members can marry each other and can eat in each other’s company without believing themselves polluted.” Taya Zinkin “ranked, named, endogamous [in-marrying], with membership achieved by birth” TE: Throughout Indian history, caste has promoted “social stability” What is varna today?

14. Since 1949 Untouchability is illegal India’s constitution forbids discrimination based on caste India has caste-based “positive discrimination” programs Yet caste remains important in social life: who one can marry, or eat and socialize with Mohandas Gandhi

15. Oldest religion that is still widely practiced A fusion of Aryan and Dravidian beliefs Unique among world religions: No founder No centralized authority Hinduism Indra

16. Emergence of Hinduism The Vedas 1400-900 BCE: Ritual and sacrifice solely by priestly class The Upanishads 800-400 BCE: Individual is responsible for his/her own salvation The Bhagavad Gita300 BCE-300 CE: Salvation possible through a balanced life and by fulfilling one’s duties Hanuman

17. Concepts introduced in the Upanishads: Brahman: “the universal soul” (See RGH #40, p. 121) • Everyone and everything is part of Brahman • atman – individual soul (See RGH #39, p. 119) Samsara: reincarnation • The cycle of death and rebirth Karma: deeds (See RGH#41, p. 123-124) • One’s present situation is the product of deeds done in a previous life Moksha / Nirvana: release • Escape from samsara

18. Basic Hindu Beliefs:Bhagavad Gita: Dharma: • Obedience to religious and moral laws; caste duty Karma: • “As you sow, so shall you reap;” for every action a consequence Samsara: • Reincarnation or rebirth (or redeath?) Artha: • Pursuit of economic well-being and honest prosperity Kama: • Enjoyment of social, physical, sexual pleasure Moksha: Attainable through proper balance of these. HINDU WHEEL OF LIFE

19. Varna and Hinduism • Varna is legitimized in Rig Veda • Hindu concepts uphold and reinforce varna • Samsara explains one’s present caste and offers hope of better incarnation in next life • “Fulfilling one’s duties” = fulfilling the duties of one’s caste

20. Hindu pantheon: combination of Vedic and indigenous gods: Avatars: incarnations of god Popular Hinduism, see TE text, p. 239

21. Shiva doing the dance of destruction

22. Buddhism Founded by Siddhartha Gautama [b. 563 B.C.E.] Shared many concepts with Hinduism But also reacted against many Hindu ideas, including varna

23. Principles of Buddhism Four Noble Truths: All life is suffering Suffering is caused by desire To stop suffering, stop desiring Stop desiring by following the Eight-Fold Path Nirvana – “extinction of desire” BUDDHA UNDER THE BODHI TREE

24. The Spread of Buddhism and Hinduism

26. Five Stages of Buddhism • “Old” Buddhism – 500-100 bce philosophy emphasized • Hinayana – “Lesser Vehicle” • monasticism • “save yourself through intense self-effort” • Popular in Tibet, Sri Lanka, Thailand BOUDHANATH WITH MONKS, NEPAL

27. Five Stages of Buddhism • Mahayana – “Greater Vehicle”100bce-500ce • bodhisattva – emphasis on compassion (See RGH #44, p. 131) and “saving others” • blending of Buddhism with Greek philosophy • Buddha begins to be worshipped like a god • Education – Nalanda U. – center of learning • Popular in Japan, China, the world. • Buddhism spreads throughout Asia and the world 500ce - present

29. The many shapes and faces of the Buddha

30. Why was (is?) Buddhism attractive? • message appealed to lower castes and women. • used common language, not Sanskrit. • pilgrimage and holy sites emphasized. • wealthy patrons, like Ashoka. • “Buddhism movement” – the monastery. ZEN BUDDHISTS MEDITATING IN KENTUCKY (1997)

31. The Dalai Lama in conversation with U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House Great Stupa of Dharmakaya in Colorado "American Buddhist with Thai Buddha", Living Enrichment Center, Wilsonville, Oregon, 1998.