Indo-Aryan Migrants

1. Indo-Aryan Migrants Indus Valley

2. The Migration • 1750 B.C.- Indo-European tribes crossed the Hindu Kush Mountains came for rich pasture land • Vedas- Indo-Aryan works of religious literature written in Sanskrit • From 1500 B.C. to 1000 B.C. is known as the Vedic Age • Brahmins- Priests of the Vedic faith

4. The Vedas • Rig-Veda consists of 1028 hymns dedicated to the Aryan gods • Gods mentioned in the Vedas identified with natural elements (fire, rain, sun, etc.) • New stories created in the Epic Age (1,000 to 600 B.C.) • Mahabharata, which contains the Bhagavad Gita, and Ramayana were created during the Epic Age Indra, god of Thunder

5. Society • Settlements formed small states led by rajas- military leaders, lawmakers, and judges • Lighter skinned Aryans were at top of social order, darker natives at the bottom • Warriors and later priests were at the top

6. Caste System • Caste system- complex form of social organization • Divided into four varnas or social classes • Top-rulers and warriors • Second-Brahmins and scholars (Brahmins eventually become first) • Third-merchants, farmers • Fourth-peasants

7. A Fifth Class • Pariahs or “untouchables” • Could only do unclean jobs like skinning animals and preparing the dead for burial • Untouchables have designated wells, streets, homes and have NO contact with other castes

8. Society • Rules in the Vedas governed and limited marriage among the social orders • Usually arranged marriages • Marriage by purchase or capture or marriage of love were permitted

9. Traditional Indian Wedding

10. Economy • Irrigation was used for growing rice • Bartered until around 500 B.C. when coins began to be used • Poor transportation hindered long-term continuous trade

12. Southern India • Unification between northern and southern India was difficult due to geography • Society was divided into diverse social groups • Most were farmers • Made contact with Southeast Asia through trade

14. Hinduism

15. Origins • 700 B.C.- religious thinkers questioned Brahmin authority, traveled teaching their message • Teachings collected into the Upanishads- explanations of Vedic religion • Part of the teachings is called the Bhagavad Gita, most famous Hindu Scripture

16. Hindu Religion • Divine essence called Brahman fills everything in the world • People have individual essence- Self or Attman • Brahman and Attman are one in the same • All things in the universe share the same essence as God • Monism- unity between God and creation

17. Salvation • The world we see is an illusion called maya • Those who believe the illusion is real, cannot be saved • It may take many lifetimes to reject maya- reincarnation (soul is reborn over and over)

19. What Goes Around… • Dharma-doing one’s moral duty so the soul can advance to next life; Hindus refer to their faith as dharma, the moral path • Karma-the good or bad force created by a person’s action • Nirvana-perfect peace; the soul unites with Brahman Not this Nirvana This Nirvana

20. Hindu Gods • Brahma-creator • Vishnu-preserver • Siva-destroyer • Original gods of nature were changed to represent more abstract ideas, ex. Varuna • Spirits of trees, animals, people, but all part of Brahman • Polytheistic • Gurus- Hindu leaders

21. Vishnu Child

22. Other Hindu Work • Dancing Shiva: page 58 in book • Kamasutra written in the 4th century and referred to as “Laws of love” • Intended to improve closeness and spirituality between husbands and wives

23. Practices • Yoga • Festivals • Cows viewed as sacred because the provided power for plows and milk and butter

24. Buddhism

25. Origins • Founder-Siddhartha Gautama became known as the Buddha, “The Enlightened One” • Born 563 B.C. in Northern India • Left palace at 29 and was shocked at the harshness of everyday life

26. Great Renunciation • Left family and home to attain truth • After six years, while meditating under a tree, Siddhartha felt he understood the truth of life. • Became the Buddha

27. Teachings • Kept reincarnation and other Hindu beliefs (Dharma, karma and nirvana) • Salvation-knowing the “Four Noble Truths” and following the “Eightfold Path” • Ethics, selflessness • Desire causes suffering • No gods; priests live morally and in poverty

28. Four Noble Truths • All human life involves suffering • The desire for pleasure and material gain causes suffering and sorrow • Renouncing desire frees people from suffering and helps souls attain nirvana • The Eightfold Path leads to denial of desire and attainment of nirvana

29. Eightfold Path • Right Views-seeing life as it really is • Right intentions-living a life of good will; striving toward perfection • Right speech-avoiding lies and gossip • Right action-trying to be law-abiding and honest • Right living-avoiding work that harms others • Right effort-seeking to prevent evil • Right mindfulness-constant awareness of one’s self • Right concentration-directing the mind in meditation

30. Spread of Buddhism • Few followers during his lifetime but spread through missionary efforts • Two branches: • Theravada-maintains traditional Buddhist teachings, believe that Buddha was a great teacher (Burma, now Myanmar; Siam, now Thailand; Ceylon, now Sri Lanka) • Mahayana-more elaborate ceremonies and believe that Buddha was a god and savior (China, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan)