Hinduism & Buddhism

1. Hinduism & Buddhism

2. Aryan Invasion • Circa1500 BCE, a group of nomadic warrior-herders called the Aryans Invaded the lands of the Indus River Valley • The Aryans were from Eastern Europe between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea • The present Harappan civilization was already in decline and unable to repel the Aryans

3. Aryans Mesopotamia Indus River Valley Ancient Egypt

4. Blending of Cultures • The Aryans brought with them their own language, called Sanskrit and religious and cultural beliefs. • The Indus Valley people eventually became intermixed with the Aryan people and the two cultures together make up what is now much of the culture of modern India. • Hinduism, the major religion of India, was a mixture of Aryan and Indus Valley beliefs. • The caste system, which keeps people in strict social classes, was brought to India by the Aryans.

5. Hinduism • The Aryans and the Indus Valley culture eventually produced Hinduism. • Polytheistic/Monotheistic • Supreme God, lesser deities are versions • Three major gods create a trinity: • Brahma the creator • Vishnu the preserver • Shiva the destroyer

6. Hinduism Continued • Religious texts called “Vedas” that record the beliefs of the Aryans, written in Sanskrit • Considered to be perhaps the oldest continuing religion in the world • Hinduism differs from other religions like Christianity, Judaism and Islam in that there is no one single founder or one set of beliefs that must be followed.

7. Reincarnation • Hindus believe that after a person dies, they will be re-born as some other creature or thing. • What you are re-born as depends on your “Karma” or the deeds you did in your previous life. • If you did good deeds, you will reborn into a higher, better life. • If you had bad Karma, you may be re-born as an insect or even a tree.

8. Reincarnation Continued • Karma- Sanskrit word that means “action” • Good or bad actions will have equal consequences • Karma rolls over into next lifetime • Dharma- “duty” “virtue” or “morality” • Set of rules to guide your life • Plays into the caste system • Constant cycle of rebirth called Samsara • Ultimate goal is to end this rebirth, called moksha

9. Caste System • Aryans brought the caste system to India • This system put every person in society into a certain class from which they could never change. • The caste system was very effective in keeping social order but it was rigid and strict. • People in the lower castes were looked down on.

11. Brahmins • India’s caste system is divided into many different classes, each with its own job. The highest class is the Brahmins, or priests. They have great authority and respect.

12. Kshatriya • The next level are the warriors, or land-owners. They are often in the wealthy, ruling class. In early times, they were the armies for the many princes of India. They are called Kshatriya

13. Vaishya • The Vaishya are the merchants and artisans. They are the people who sell products. They, like all members of each caste, cannot ever change their caste.

14. Shudra • The lowest level are the servants and farmers. They are called Shudra. They are very important because they provide food and goods for society. Like members of every caste, they must marry within their own caste.

15. “Outcasts” • The lowest group in India are the Harijan. They are also called the “untouchables” or “outcasts” because they are not even considered part of the caste system. • They do the worst jobs in the community such as cleaning sewers and sweeping the streets. • Members of the caste system were not even supposed to have the shadow of an untouchable touch them. • The Harijan believed that the only way to get out of their situation was to do everything without complaint so they could be reborn into a higher caste in the next life.

16. Buddhism • Founded around 600 BCE by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) • He was born 566 BCE into the Kshatriya caste (warrior class) in present day Nepal • He was a wealthy prince who was kept isolated inside a beautiful palace and not exposed to the suffering of others • One day he left the walls of his palace and saw the pain and misery of life, characterized by three men: an old man, a sick man, and a dead man (One cannot escape age, disease, or death) • He tried several ways to meditate and find peace until he finally he came up with his own way; Buddhism.

17. Meditation • Buddha gained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree • Meditation is central • Develop awareness • Change perception • Increase concentration • Break attachment

18. Buddhism Continued • Life is full of suffering • Suffering is caused by attachment/desires • Suffering ends when attachment ends • No worship of gods or god • Reincarnation • Impermanence (nothing lasts forever, good or bad) • Meditation to become Enlightened, reaching a state of Nirvana.

19. Four Noble Truths • The basic foundation of Buddhism are the four Noble Truths • Four Noble Truths 1 Existence of Dukkha (suffering) 2 Dukkha is caused by attachment 3 Dukkha can be overcome 4 The path to overcoming Dukkha (Eightfold Path) • Think: 1= symptoms, 2=diagnosis, 3=prognosis, 4=prescription

20. Eightfold Path • Eightfold Path “The Right” Understanding, Thought, Speech, Action, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration, Livelihood • The “path” of NT #4 • No particular order • Support and reinforce one another

21. Study Guide • Dravidian • Aryan • Harappa • Harappan/IRVC • IRVC Economy • IRVC City Layout • Mohenjo-Daro • Lothal • Sub-continent • Sanskrit • Vedas • Monsoon • Buddhism • Hinduism • Reincarnation • Karma • Dharma • Samsara • Moksha • Caste System • Pariah • Siddhartha Gautama • Four Noble Truths • Eightfold Path