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Ancient India

Ancient India. Out of 2 groups of people – one diverse religion. Indo-Aryans. Indus/Dravidian People. Nomadic tribes Herded cattle, sheep goats Warriors Male dominated No cities No written lang.– only oral tradit. Written language Industry & trade Agriculture Planned Cities Citadel

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Ancient India

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  1. Ancient India • Out of 2 groups of people – • one diverse religion

  2. Indo-Aryans Indus/Dravidian People • Nomadic tribes • Herded cattle, sheep goats • Warriors • Male dominated • No cities • No written lang.– only oral tradit. • Written language • Industry & trade • Agriculture • Planned Cities • Citadel • Underground sewers • Oven baked bricks The Indo-Aryans maybe conquered the Indus Valley People c.1500 BCE

  3. From the clash of these two cultures came: • Structure of Society – the Varna or castes • The religion Hinduism • Religious writings

  4. Brahmin Kshatriya Vaisya Shudra Caste System priests Varna (castes) divided into 3000 subcastes, jati, based on occupation Nobles, warriors, royalty Merchants & skilled workers Servants, peasants, slaves, laborers Untouchables:Outcaste, pariah = outside caste system

  5. Brahman One Divine Essence Unity Gods (diversity) Many manifestations of Brahman Brahma The Creator Shiva The Destroyer Vishnu The Preserver Had many earthly incarnations: Rama, Krishna Hindu Gods + millions of other gods + divine essence, “atman” in all things “Trinity”

  6. Hindu Beliefs • Worshiping many gods • Reincarnation– cycle of rebirth (samsara, transmigration) • Atman – spirit that goes from birth to rebirth (sort of like “soul”) • Karma– every action is rewarded or punished in this life or a next life

  7. Dharma: one’s moral duty in life; may differ according to varna • Maya: the illusion of the material world (diversity) • reality is the divine essence (Brahman=unity) • Moksha: releasefrom pain & suffering of rebirth

  8. Ahimsa: reverence for all life forms • Yoga: mental and physical discipline to free mind/spirit from bodily control • Asceticism – extreme self-denial • Nirvana – ultimate goal; to escape cycle of rebirth

  9. Guru: teacher • Yogi: yoga guru

  10. Religious Writings • Vedas:“Books of Knowledge” • -oral tradition: songs, prayers, stories of the Indo-Aryans • - eventually written in Sanskrit

  11. Religious Writings • Upanishads:mystical/philosophical discussions • -reality and illusion • -unity and diversity "What makes my mind think, my eyes see, my tongue speak, my body live?"What happens when this body dies?“ mysticism

  12. Religious Writings – The Epics • Epic: long heroic tale • Also began as oral tradition; teaching tools • Mahabarata:great war • -Bhagavad-Gita “song of God” • -Krishna’s instruction on love and morality

  13. Religious Writings - Epics • Ramayana– Story of Rama and wife Sita • allegorical sense: represents Indo-Aryans establishing hold over north India & moving influence south • religious/mythical point of view: Rama represents the noble man, following dharma and living rightly; • Sita is the honorable wife

  14. A Hindu’s goal • Immediate goal: A good Hindu should follow the dharma of his caste. If he does this , karma will cause the transmigration of his atman into a higher caste/varna in his next life…. • Ultimate goal….The Atman will recognize and reject maya, escape samsara, achieve Nirvana and be one with Brahman.

  15. “New” ideas threaten the status quo - 5th c. BCE • Jainism - Mahavira • Buddhism – Siddartha Gautama

  16. Jainism • “Jina” – the conqueror • Mahavira – the “last conqueror” • Holiness of the life force • Extreme ahimsa • Karma & detachment • Monogamy & honesty • Became city dwellers; trade • vegetarian

  17. ….

  18. Buddhism “The Middle Way”

  19. Buddha…“The Enlightened One” Siddhartha Gautama…the traditional story • 6th c. BC, Born a prince, isolated • into world, saw illness, death & old age • Left family (Great Renunciation) in search of “truth” • austere, ascetic life for years, it didn’t help • 35th birthday…weeks of meditation became the “Enlightened One”

  20. Four Noble Truths • All life is suffering & sorrow… • suffering is caused by greedy desire • To eliminate suffering must eliminate desire • To eliminate desire follow the Eight-Fold Path or the Middle Way to reach Nirvana

  21. Eightfold Path... “The Middle Way” wisdom • Know the truth • Resist evil • Say nothing to hurt others • Respect life • Work for the good of others • Free mind of evil • Control thoughts • Practice meditation morality meditation

  22. Same reincarnation - sort of… Nirvana Karma Ahimsa –reverence for all living things Dharma …. Different – Buddhists: Do not believe in worshipping gods Reject caste/ varna system Believe one can escape cycle of rebirth by following 8-fold Path – a universal dharma Compare/Contrast with Hinduism

  23. Spread of Buddhism • Asoka – 3rd c. BC ruler who sent out Buddhist missionaries • Rise of Buddhism leads to a flowering of architecture and the arts • Stupas – large stone mounds built over the bones of holy people • Paintings/statues of Buddha • Zen temples, surrounded by beautiful gardens

  24. Theravada (“Way of the Elders”) View Buddha as ateacher South and SE Asia Tripitika - scriptures Mahayana Usu. view Buddha as asavior/divine being China, Korea, Japan Bodhisattvas – “saints” Two Branches of Buddhism

  25. More variations within Mahayana Buddhism… • In Nepal, Buddhists believe Buddha is one of the incarnations of Hindu God Vishnu • Tantric Buddhism in Tibet – Buddhism and nature worship • Zen Buddhism (Japan) – focuses on meditation & harmony & simplicity –

  26. So…who is this??? • This is NOT the Buddha • This is Pu-tai or Hotei • A fertility symbol who was said to bring gifts to small children (think Santa Claus) • As Hotei – one of the 7 Japanese Shinto Gods

  27. cf. Mahavira, Siddhartha Gautama & Jesus of Nazareth

  28. Classical India • Local Princes (rajahs) • Mauryan Empire – 322 BC • Founder: Chandragupta • Asoka– after fierce wars of conquest, became “enlightened” • Renounced war • Followed Buddhist teachings • Encouraged tolerance • Spread Buddhism throughout India and other parts of Asia bymissionaries

  29. Asoka’s Rock Edicts • Laws carved on rocks and pillars throughout empire • Laws stressed concern for other human beings

  30. Gov’t cont’d: Gupta Empire • Gupta Empire • 320AD-535AD • India’s “Golden Age” – arts & sciences flourished • Began to write downrules for everything: grammar, drama, politics

  31. Caste System Women respected but had little power or independence Polygamy - many wives Suttee /sati wives’ ritual suicide Classical Society

  32. Ancient Art/Architecture • Golden Age during Gupta Empire • (Drama, poetry, math and sciences flourished) • Stupas– mound shaped shrines to Buddha/bodhisattvas • Temples with brightly painted sculptures

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