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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 and enslaved 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. Hinduism One religion and many…

  6. 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”

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Guru: teacher • Yogi: yoga guru

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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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 maya, escape samsara, achieve Nirvana and be one with Brahman.

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

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

  18. ….

  19. Buddhism “The Middle Way”

  20. 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”

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. The Eightfold Path Expanded

  24. 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

  25. 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

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

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

  28. 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

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

  30. 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

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

  32. 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

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

  34. 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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